UNDER the Conservative Government in 1993, many hospitals faced closure, including Harfield, Highfield and many more.

Labour claimed they would make improvements to the NHS. Four years on, is it any better?

The Alexandra Hospital has had its problems over the years, including lack of funding for vital equipment.

I believe Labour have failed because in 1997, Tony Blair promised a ''New Britain'' with "no forgotten people." Four years on, and the reality is far different.

In 1993, 25 per cent of school children were affected by asthma. Now in 2001, we hear Redditch has the second highest asthma rate in the county!

Because of stress (due to unemployment and low wages in the town) it also has one of the highest number of smokers in the county.

Considering the long-term problem for Redditch with asthma, why has it taken so long for the health service to investigate the need to have a group dedicated to asthma?

Labour and the Conservatives will continue to use patients as political pawns while they strive for more power, but in the Green Party we believe health care should be free when needed.

Eye tests and dental treatment should be free and prescription charges abolished.

More money should be pumped into the health service. We would introduce an NHS tax to increase health spending towards the European average.

Closer relationships between doctors, community and hospitals should be implemented, with community health centres with trained staff and community-based care more readily available.