SIR - The Department of Health announced earlier this year that the provision of maternity wards throughout the country would have to be overhauled with probably one in three being closed.

This is being advanced as being in the interests of patients.

However, questioning of the Health Secretary has revealed that the main reason is the EU working times directive, which means that the number of consultants available to manage maternity wards will drop because they will only be allowed to be on duty/on call for 48 hours a week.

Yet again, unforeseen consequences of EU actions have potentially damaging health implications.

Mark Starr, Leigh Sinton.