THERE have been several letters recently suggesting the present Community Hospital in Malvern should be extended/refurbished and a new hospital is unnecessary.

As part of a project team in the early 1990s, I was closely involved with plans for an update on the Lansdowne Crescent site. The unanimous decision was that the site could only be extended at enormous cost and to a very limited extent and with no parking space. This last was important because although the local residents have been good friends and neighbours to the existing hospital, even more parking on the roads was totally impractical.

Please remember the present hospital was built nearly 100 years ago for a population one-third of its present size.

Worcestershire Royal Hospital is barely fulfilling its role as an acute hospital now and parking is still an ever-present nightmare, so the need is accepted.

At present we cannot extend the number of intermediate beds, clinics, X-ray and physiotherapy services, so badly needed and because of its age, health and safety standards are compromised.

Now we are in the process of seeking a partner for the new hospital, tenders are being prepared and we are awaiting a meeting of the project team (hopefully in July).

It is vitally important the people of Malvern support, as they have always done, the present and proposed Community Hospital. To this end the League of Friends is holding a garden party at Barnards Green House on Friday, June 23, at 6.30pm, a collection at Bands in the Park, courtesy of Malvern Town Council, on July 16 and a flag day at Morrisons on September 3 and 4. We are still buying essential equipment and need to be ready to play a part in equipping a new hospital when it is built.

Please look in at our elderly hospital as it has been entered for the neighbourhood project award section of Britain in Bloom, you should see a much improved look. How I wish we could wave a magic wand and transform the rest of it!

Please be patient and continue your support. The ongoing effort by so many people and organisations will see a new hospital in Malvern. Trust me - I'm an optimist and have a dedicated and determined committee behind me.

PAT MERRICK, chairman, League of Friends.