EDITOR, - I fear that R W Liddell1 has misunderstood the main thrust of my editorial on community hospitals.2 There is no doubt that community hospitals have made a considerable contribution to total health care and are therefore supported by professional and public alike. I suggested, however, that these hospitals may have to change their role to adapt to the expectations of the new NHS so that they continue to have an effective role. Liddell's suggestion that many community hospitals deal primarily with acute care is interesting, although he does not say how this will continue in the internal market, where there can be competition from other providers. It is also worth bearing in mind that the secretary of state for health in England …