IT is encouraging to read that Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chairman Mr Michael O'Riordan has said the return of elective surgery to Kidderminster is a high priority.

However, "as soon as possible" means little until we see some action.

He may not fully appreciate the fact that Kidderminster had an excellent hospital service until the former Worcestershire Health Authority re-organised services into disorganised chaos.

This disaster is further compounded by the plan to spend over £13 million on unnecessarily re-designing E Block.

We need services returned to Kidderminster now, to restore fairness to Wyre Forest residents, and to ease the pressure on the other hospitals.

JEAN COOPER

Trimpley