HEALTH authority bosses have declined to comment on proposed reductions in the physiotherapy department at Evesham Community Hospital.

A briefing paper under the names of Dr Tim Davies, director of public health, and June Patel, director of clinical services and nursing, dated February 11, 2004, and headed Interim Report of the Service Review Process for Physiotherapy, was presented to the JNCC on March 15.

It recommended a reduction of 2.5 senior physiotherapists from the hospital, a move attacked by Frances Smith, chairman of The League of Friends of Evesham Community Hospital, who said she was "shocked and disappointed" that the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust has targeted Evesham.

She said she feared that if the move was carried through, it could threaten the survival of the hospital.

PCT spokesman Janet Ferguson said Mike Ridley, chief executive of the PCT, did not wish to make any comment.