AN outgoing hospital chaplain has spoken of the major trauma faced by patients and staff due to changes at Kidderminster.

Kidderminster Hospital chaplain Canon Paul Brothwell has retired after 10 years tending to people's spiritual needs at the site. Canon Paul Brothwell who has retired as hospital chaplain at Kidderminster.

He said he thoroughly enjoyed his tenure but stressed there was a major leap in requests for his services as the hospital downgrading, which saw the loss of a blue-light A and E and in-patient services in September 2000, hit patients and staff.

Mr Brothwell said: "When people are faced with uncertainty they start to ask important questions.

"Staff had to cope with changes enforced on them by Government and their confidence was undermined. Many faced difficult decisions.

"Patients have been concerned about having to travel and this has caused emotional trauma. Many of the elderly were concerned they would not receive visits."

Mr Brothwell, 65, paid tribute to staff with whom he enjoyed a "wonderful" relationship. He will continue to work at the site as a locum until his replacement has been appointed.

Before coming to Kidderminster he was vicar of Whittington, near Lichfield. There he was co-founder of St Giles' Hospice and he is taking a keen interest in the current £2.2 million Kemp Hospice Appeal in Kidderminster.

Mr Brothwell, who lives in Hillside Close, Astley Cross, with wife Hilary, is also chairman of the rapidly-expanding district prostate cancer support group.

The keen golfer is determined not to rest on his laurels in retirement and is studying an apt course for the future - gerontology, the study of the ageing process.