HAVING recently had cause to visit my mother in both the swish new Worcester Hospital and Evesham Community Hospital, I can only say I hope the residents of Evesham fully appreciate how fortunate they are to have such a wonderful local hospital.

Rarely is it so easy to park at a hospital, and I was lucky enough to enjoy superb service in the cafeteria before the evening service finished. But it was the care and dedication of the nurses and their staff on the ward (Izod) that stood out.

The hospital is small enough that the staff know their patients. Their cheerfulness and friendliness stood out by comparison with the seemingly absent staff of the larger hospital and is the more remarkable because of the constant threats of cuts and closure.

The hospital is a gem which the town must retain.

SUSAN ABLETT (Dr), Allardene, Evesham.