THE latest hospital services transfer announcements come in the wake of calls from the Local Medical Committee, the Community Health Council, Wyre Forest District Council and others, for an independent investigation into the safety issues surrounding the changes.

To the observer it looks as if the official team (including Worcestershire Health Authority and the Acute Trust Board) are determined to win the race, unable to resist a last-minute sprint when the winning post is in sight.

It is as if they are spurred on by the cautious and the questioning - as if to miss the prize is unbearable.

Why has Worcestershire Health Authority refused to be independently scrutinised?

Are they afraid of the critics?

If they were found to be right they could congratulate themselves on their efforts.

If, on the other hand, it was discovered that there were serious problems looming, they should welcome the opportunity to try to put things right before people's lives are seriously disrupted.

Surely it would be better to witness a few red faces now than to risk the possibility of medical disasters, needless loss of life and a series of court cases and compensation payments later.

If that were to happen the victory would be hollow and the medals undeserved.

ELIZABETH HOGGARTH

Muskoka, Bewdley