RICHARD Taylor, 66, was a consultant physician and rheumatologist at Kidderminster Hospital for 23 years.

He attended the Leys School, Cambridge, coincidentally with trailblazing independent MP Martin Bell - before reading natural sciences at Clare College, Cambridge.

After graduating he carried out his clinical training at Westminster Hospital, London.

He was tutored by Sir Richard Bayliss, who later became the Queen's Physician.

However, his post as senior house physician was interrupted by National Service in 1961.

He was one of the last five to be enlisted into the RAF which included a four-month posting on Christmas Island in the Pacific.

It was a paradise posting for the medical officer who indulged his passion for bird-watching along the tropical coast.

After his three-year military stint he practised in London hospitals for eight years before he came to Kidderminster in 1972.

He clearly enjoyed his 23 years at the town hospital.

Speaking after his retirement in 1995, he said: "I've worked in the north and south and they can complain! But in this area I dealt with nice, stoical, non-complaining patients.

"I also worked with superb medical staff, who came to Kidderminster by choice."

He joined the hospital's league of friends in 1975, later becoming chairman.

Under his guidance the charity group raised more than £2 million in the last decade, including £400,000 for the Cancer Resource Centre in 15 months.

In 1997 in his role as Friends' chairman he reflected upon its fund-raising achievements.

He said: "It is staggering to think we have raised more than £1 million since 1990 and none of it has gone to waste.

"The only reason we can do that is because people appreciate the hospital."

His own appreciation saw him thrust into the role of Save Kidderminster Hospital Campaign chairman in 1997.

The campaign saw 12,000 people march through Kidderm-inster in protest at the downgrading plan and 66,000 sign a petition.

After the Government rubber-stamped the decision to downgrade Kidderminster Hospital's A&E department and axe inpatient services, Health Concern was launched.

It shook up the local government scene with a string of stunning victories and gained 19 seats in two years on Wyre Forest District Council.

Dr Taylor decided to stand for parliament as the last throw of the dice for the campaign.

The gutting of the hospital for the £14 million ambulatory care centre is set for August but he believes services can still be restored if the hospital does not lose its infrastructure.