ONE reason given for closing the GP unit at Kidderminster Hospital is that it does not offer a high quality patient environment. It may need redecoration, but for the patients and relatives the most important thing is the quality of care. The comments in the local press following the announcement of the ward closure all praised the nursing care on the ward.

The closure of the GP ward is the beginning of a series of cuts that will have an impact on local residents.

The three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups (WCCGs) are running a public consultation which could be summarised as asking local people where they want the axe to fall. WCCGs does not have enough money to continue with the services it currently provides and are looking to cut what it considers to be nonessential services.

Why should people be called on to take part in the destruction of the Worcestershire health service? The NHS should be properly funded by the government. For the last few years there has been no real increase in spending on the NHS despite increasing demand. The Green Party says that spending needs to increase, funded from general taxation.

Otherwise our health service will continue to decline and only the better- off will be able to afford decent health care.

Vicky Lea Wyre Forest Green Party