WE are writing, as Kidderminster's senior NHS clinicians working in mental health, to reiterate our support for the new Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor, and to refute the impression repeatedly given by his predecessor that "virtually all" local clinicians (David Lock's words in the Shuttle/Times & News, May 31) back the current downgrading of acute patient services in this area.

We believe that a clear majority of local clinicians share our views that local, integrated services have been transformed by financial expediency into distant and dis-integrated services.

We feel that David Lock has exploited the lack of public opposition to the proposals among doctors and other health workers - though such opposition is widespread behind the scenes.

The fact that this voice has not been heard until now is due to two prime factors.

Most NHS staff have an instinct to avoid public protest and feel they have a public duty to make the best of whatever system in which they are required to work. Some locally have felt that it has been futile to go on fighting the political inevitable. That does not constitute support.

In addition, many staff fear being disciplined if they articulate their views.

In these ways, a myth is perpetuated. But only poor decision-making is undermined by creative and public debate.

It is hard to find anyone within the NHS who does not feel the impact of inadequate NHS funding both locally and nationally. Patients see it too.

Despite headline "spin" suggesting vast extra financial input, following a "do-nothing" policy for the last Government's first three years, adequate funding is simply not being made available.

We see the disastrous effect of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) on services in Worcester-shire, and the wrecking of Kidderminster services to pay the rent on the new Worcester hospital.

Glossy talk of "better services" for local patients and suggestions that the changes were clinically (rather than financially) driven fly shamefully in the face of reality.

Mr Lock's talk of having "saved" the hospital seems grotesquely Orwellian.

Dr Taylor now has a moral mandate, a massive mandate, to halt further service deterioration while a review is undertaken.

A situation which had seemed inevitable has dramatically changed. Now is the time for all sides to enter a genuine and open debate.

ROBIN IRELAND

Consultant Psychiatrist

AGNES NALPAS

Consultant Psychiatrist

SIMON O'LOUGHLIN

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

SANDY ROBERTSON

Former Consultant Psychiatrist and

Clinical Director of

Mental Health Kidderminster General Hospital