I WAS very saddened to read of the folding of Wyre Forest Flying Doctors.

As a staff nurse, sister and senior nurse on our local accident and emergency department spanning 20 years, I was very privileged to work with and alongside these doctors from the advent of the scheme.

The whole of the nursing and paramedic team gained a great deal of knowledge and expertise from these people.

I do have to question, however, Linda Millinchamp's comments that the need had fallen for their services owing to the increased standards of paramedics.

I recently stopped at a serious accident locally and had cause to complain when the paramedic who attended was backed up by a very inexperienced technician (through no fault of either person).

As we are all aware, the downgrading of the hospital required a whole new batch of technicians to be employed (experience only comes with time).

Ms Millinchamp's letter of reply to me only served to tell me that she has no idea of the amount of stress and responsibility placed on these people at the scene of a serious incident. No matter how experienced the paramedic may be, protocols limit them on certain treatments and drugs, which is when the flying squad doctors become invaluable.

I can only think that at a time when the people of Wyre Forest and visitors (an increase of 30 per cent attend at this time of year) are suffering from the downgrading of our department, that it is a very sad and serious loss to our community to lose these dedicated people.

I have to ask myself again, how much of this is political?

MARY STEADMAN

Full address supplied