FOLLOWING a letter that appeared in the Worcester News on Tuesday, I must set the record straight regarding Wychavon District Council's involvement in the Evesham Hospital situation.

In her letter, Joyce Rose from Worcester very wrongly suggests the hospital is "being dismantled on Wychavon's instructions."

In fact the cuts come as part of a budget-stretching project put forward by the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) which is under cash-saving pressure from the Secretary of State.

While we are sympathetic to the PCT's plight, we have offered help to the PCT to carry out a strategic review of its services to prevent this cutting of front line services. This is being considered by the PCT as part of budget proposals next month.

As a district council, we are committed to retaining local health care services, and in fact are just about to start building a hospital and healthcare centre in Pershore on behalf of the PCT.

I urge Ms Rose to check her information - the story has in fact featured by this newspaper - before making broad and sweeping comments about such a serious matter which has already caused very strong feeling in the community.

If Ms Rose wants to get in touch I am more than happy to go through the situation with her.

JACK HEGARTY,

Managing Director,

Wychavon District Council.