SIR, Having recently undergone knee replacement surgery, I returned to Monnow Vale Physiotherapy Department and asked to be put on their special knee replacement surgery class, one hour weekly. I was told these classes had recently been discontinued due to "lack of staff". This is nothing short of a catastrophe for knee replacement patients. Physiotherapy is absolutely vital particularly in the first few weeks after surgery and as a follow-up for several months afterwards to insure a good outcome. Once a week is barely enough, it should be twice a week but now we have nothing other than in my case seeing a physiotherapist once every two weeks for 20 minutes. These classes were excellent, they were well attended and patients could use, under supervision, the various pieces of equipment the gym had to offer which are not available in patient's homes. Two physiotherapists were in attendance who offered help and advice. Knee surgery is very complex and the actual operation forms only a tiny part of what is required for a good outcome. Some estimate it forms only 10 per cent of the outcome. 90 per cent of a good outcome is through good physiotherapy supervision and encouragement and making sure you are doing the exercises correctly. Monmouth patients have been deprived of this. Why is the Health Board paying out good money to get these operations carried out and are then depriving patients of the physiotherapy which will insure the best outcome possible. May I suggest anyone who has concerns in this field, contact the Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council on 01633 838516 to register their concerns. SH Campbell (Monmouth)