I WELCOME Mike Foster's long overdue acknowledgement that public confidence is on the line where the NHS in Worcester is concerned, as reported in the Evening News of Friday, August 11.

So that everybody in Worcester can have the health service they need - and that is the aim and wish of all - surely now is the time for him to address the concerns of many who fear it will not happen.

Just waiting for the so-called record investment to kick in while wrongly blaming previous underfunding will not do.

Neither is it fair to the Trust to say it will be the scapegoat for a continuing lack of confidence if it fails to deliver.

Labour promised to deliver in 1997 and it is down to them to make sure Worcester is properly served.

Saying the new hospital "in theory" has greater acute bed capacity is a very unfortunate choice of words and not at all reassuring. What about the actual reality of bed numbers?

While these doubts persist, the out-patient waiting list spirals. Social Services spending on the elderly is under threat.

Winter draws near and implementation of the re-organisation and its transition are being questioned.

It is time, I say again, for Mr Foster to tackle these issues head on. It may mean rocking the Labour Party boat, but the people he represents must take priority over Millbank directives.

RICHARD ADAMS,

Conservative PPC for Worcester.