WHAT a contrast the Shuttle/Times & News front page made last week. It stated quite correctly that the "Kidderminster Hospital closure is a non-runner", compared to the letter by the Kidderminster Independent Hospital and Health Concern Group.

At full council on November 16 Councillor Ken Stokes had no written motion to be debated, but under the council's constitution he raised what he thought to be "an emergency item". This referred to a pre-consultation document relating to Worcestershire's Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's financial problems.

The chairman of Wyre Forest District Council asked me to clarify if the verbal "emergency motion" Councillor Stokes referred to was indeed thus. I advised council that it was prudent to await the full consultation document to be published in January.

A presentation will be given to councillors by the acute trust through our Housing, Health & Rural Affairs Panel in the New Year.

We are extremely fortunate to have a Treatment Centre in Kidderminster delivering 21st century health procedures to local residents and others living in the county and beyond.

The centre is recognised as being a much-needed resource for health provision in Worcestershire and brings in revenue for our health economy

This facility needs positive support by the community in order that capacity grows and more services can be delivered in Wyre Forest.

I would like to take this opportunity to correct the statement made by Councillor Stokes that the Kidderminster Hospital site could be sold.

Under the district council's Local Plan the hospital site is earmarked for health service provision only and cannot be used for any other purpose. With practice-based commissioning and patient choice coming on stream, there will be opportunities to develop local-based services here and again retain much-needed income.

The Conservative administration takes all health issues very seriously. We have a senior Wyre Forest councillor representing this authority on the county's Health Scrutiny Committee. We have also created a cabinet position covering health issues for which I am that member.

I can assure your readers that we will continue to be very pro-active on all health matters.

ANNE HINGLEY

Cabinet Member

Housing Health & Rural Affairs

Wyre Forest District Council