I FEEL I must write to voice my agreement with G Lewis of Malvern (You Say, June 25) regarding his comments about the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

He said: "The days of having local hospitals every 15 miles is well gone. With the advances in critical care and the needs for specialist doctors it is impossible to provide these services in every town". This is very pertinent.

It is natural that people should be concerned about travelling 15 miles for health care. However, I think it is unfortunate that a very high percentage of Kidderminster people can only think about the perceived injustice of the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

For this reason, Wyre Forest has lost in David Lock arguably the best MP we have had in this constituency.

And yes, we need to look at a bigger picture than the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

DERRICK OLIVER,

Kidderminster.