IT is hard to believe that the Worcestershire Royal Hospital has been short-listed for an award as the best hospital in Britain, in view of its well-publicised problems (Shuttle/Times and News, April 10).

The Sunday Times Good Hospital Guide fails to point out that the Acute Trust has the highest medical staffing to workload levels for all large acute trusts in England but, however, does note that the trust fails to see all urgent cancer referrals in two weeks and that there are delays for substantial proportions of inpatients and outpatients.

No criticism of medical and nursing staff is implied, as they are obviously doing their very best for their patients.

Nobody, from Mr Blair downwards, wants to talk about the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital, which is one of the main reasons for the failure of the re-organisation of health services in Worcestershire, and remains the single most important factor for Wyre Forest residents.

It is not surprising that they feel upset and angry, as despite the barrage of spin to which they have been subjected, they are all too aware of the drastic deterioration in their hospital services which has taken place.

It is to be hoped that the acting chief executive, Graham Smith, will take this into consideration while he is here.

JEAN COOPER, Trimpley