HEALTH bosses will not be attending the next area forum to be held in Evesham, it emerged this week - just weeks before they will decide the future of the town's hospital.

The Town Council plans to write to the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust requesting their presence to answer questions about the future of Evesham Hospital when the forum meets next Thursday.

But PCT chief executive Mike Ridley said this week he had a prior commitment and would not be able to attend.

However, he added: "You have my assurance that, should I be contacted by the council, I will try to make myself available at the earliest opportunity."

That is unlikely to be before the next board meeting of the PCT on October 5 when a decision over the future of two wards at the hospital is expected to be taken.

Around 30,000 people have signed a petition organised by the Journal opposing the planned closure of the Willows stroke unit and Bredon orthopaedic ward, and the removal of GP cover from Izod Ward.

Critics of the proposal claim it is a misguided attempt to slash the PCT's spending in line with government requirements.

Hundreds more have written to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt condemning the plan.

The County Council-organised area forum meets six times a year in the Wychavon area to listen to residents' views and concerns and raise awareness of the role of the county councillors and the work of their partners.

Partners participating in the forum include representatives from Worcestershire County Council, the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and West Mercia Police.

At a forum meeting, residents have the opportunity to quiz these partners on issues of local interest and concern.

The meeting gives people the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers there and then or a written reply.

The forum meeting held next Thursday for residents in Evesham and the rural areas at 7pm at Evesham Town Hall will now not have representatives from the Primary Care Trust.

At a town meeting held on Monday night councillors expressed their disappointment at the prospect of no representatives attending the meeting.

Evesham town councillor John Smith said: "I understand why the PCT would decline but I think it is important for them to attend and I am very sad to hear that have decided not to attend.

"I am sure there are hundreds of people who would like to come to the meeting and ask questions about the hospital.

I am extremely sad that they are not coming I would urge the council to ask the PCT if there's any possibility that they could come along," he said.

Many town councillors agreed with Cllr John Smith and felt it was essential to have PCT representatives attend the forum meeting next Thursday as residents' views over Evesham community hospital needed to be heard.

Mr Ridley said he had not received any formal invitation to attend the area forum meeting next Thursday.

The PCT chief executive said: "I have tried to re-arrange a long-standing commitment which takes me out of the county next Thursday but I have not been able to do this."