THE portrait of the Queen and the plaque she unveiled when she opened Colchester Hospital in 1985 have been placed in the reception area, 18 months after they were removed.

However, instead of having pride of place – which they used to, for some 35 years – both are hidden in the least visible area, tucked away in a corner out of sight unless you make a point of trying to see them.

I think this is deliberate.

There are other places in the reception area where they should be the focal of attention and clearly visible to the many hundreds (thousands?) of people visiting “our” hospital each day.

The location is not the “suitable” one we were promised.

It is obvious that no prior thought had been given either to an early restoration of these two historic items, nor to a prominent location.

An afterthought which I think has only happened because I have been banging on about the matter.

The excuse that they could not be returned before now because of building works is ludicrous.

Not at all convincing. Building works finished months ago!

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The portrait of the Queen has been removed from the attractive wooden frame it was once in. Why?

What this episode indicates to me is that at the very top of “our” hospital – those responsible for the stewardship of the hospital – there are people seemingly with no respect either for Her Majesty The Queen nor appreciation for all those in the past who campaigned to get “our” hospital built.

There was real pride when the Queen opened “our” hospital, and unveiled the plaque – the only plaque ever unveiled by a reigning monarch in Colchester at any time in our borough’s long history.

It should have pride of place – not tucked away, out of sight, hidden in the corner.

The lack of respect shown by the hospital’s leadership team is contemptible.

Sir Bob Russell

Catchpool Road, Colchester