IT would be a disaster for Pershore Cottage Hospital to close; as someone who had just completed two courses of nursing training and was specialising in community nursing in 1948 when the Beveridge Scheme was introduced we were promised Cradle to the Grave. The people who would be hardest hit by its closure are the elderly.

I've recently had experience of visiting an elderly relative in the new Worcestershire hospital; the bed, and parking situation is a nightmare!

Another aspect is the fact that the money raised and funds for the hospital initially and down through the years has been by the people of Pershore, who still want to keep their hospital.

If the NHS is in difficulties because of finance that's their problem, but don't make the elderly people of Pershore and nearby villages suffer many of whom have worked hard and need help and care in their old age not exploitation.

There is much more that could be said in favour of keeping the hospital open, the present site would be most ideal if a new local hospital is to be built.

D M COX, Retired Nurse, Pershore.