Letter: Stressed at work

Sir: A poster has recently appeared in the hospital department where I work. Entitled "How to deal with stress" and claiming to have been produced by the Health Promotion Department of Buckinghamshire Health Authority in 1996, it includes useful advice such as: "Don't be too ambitious" (picture of uppity wages clerk dreaming of being an accountant); "Be realistic: don't set too high standards for yourself" (exam student reminding herself that she doesn't need straight As); and "Distract yourself" (smiling man with closed eyes listening to a hi-fi through headphones).

No doubt the widespread adoption of these radical measures throughout NHS management will have a dramatic effect on waiting lists. Or perhaps it already has?

STEPHEN LOWE WATSON

Lewes, East Sussex