I WAS deeply upset that Jacqui Smith, the Labour MP for Redditch, could suggest that the already down-graded Kidderminster Hospital should suffer further cuts to avoid any cut in services at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch.

The people in the Kidderminster area have already seen their Accident and Emergency services removed and are also forced to travel unacceptable distances for other treatment, so that Worcester could have a new hospital.

This has already proved to be too small to cope with all the additional patients, as predicted.

The local people have already spoken, at the last two General Elections, by electing Dr Richard Taylor, of Health Concern, as our Independent MP, and have demonstrated in their thousands against health cuts.

Worcestershire Acute hospitals NHS Trust and the Prime Minister should be under no doubt as to what will happen if there is any further threat to services at Kidderminster Hospital.

The problem appears to be that the £20 million cut in costs required by Central Government is just too high for this shire county which has three centres of population - ie Worcester, Kidderminster and Bromsgrove/Redditch - and only has sufficient cash to cover barely two centres.

We are also now seeing the effects of the cost of the private funding of the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

DIXON SHEPPARD

Briar Way

Stourport