SIR – One day I received a most comforting letter from my surgery. It informed me that I was allocated a personal doctor, who would have overall responsibility for my care. So, on my next necessary visit, I asked for her only to be told, she was not in that day. 
My next visit I chose a different day of the week. “Sorry she is not in today.”
On my third attempt, I was told “She won’t be in for 12 months, as she is on maternity leave.”
Sometime later I received another letter, informing me that a different doctor would be looking after me.
Happily reassured; on my next visit to the surgery; which happened to be on a Tuesday. I asked for this named doctor “Sorry she only comes in on a Monday.”
“But you can have any doctor on duty.”
I came away with the thought, why on earth waste time and money on such pointless letters.
JEAN HARRIS,
Worcester

We need to reach out to refugees in need
SIR – People across Worcestershire, as indeed across the UK, have already demonstrated their level of concern about the refugee crisis that has reached such a nadir this week.
 It is no surprise that politicians at a local county council level and those in Westminster, are behind the curve yet again on their deeply distressing humanitarian crisis.
It is a moot point whether the pictures of two young boys washed up on a  beach were needed to bring this problem to the forefront of their minds. After all, the problem has been a constant one for many European countries for months and months. 
Calais is only the tip when you look at Italy or the Greek islands. And it is not just about Syria, although that is the most significant in terms of numbers.
This is a problem for international agencies, for the EU and for individual countries like the UK and it is morally and socially incumbent on those of us in the comfortable security of peaceful, developed middle England to reach out and do what we can to assuage some of the problems. 
War, famine and intransigent governments can be tackled at a higher level. 
Local councils will be the ones providing support and assistance to refugees on a more direct practical level, and that cannot purely be left to the seaside councils and port authorities to deal with, without strategy, cohesion and finance.
But it would be good to see this county council and local MPs making their voices heard, on behalf of local people, who really do want practical and realistic solutions to the crisis. 
Just as 100 years ago, Worcestershire reached out its hand to Belgian refugees hit by war, so we should be active again.
ADRIAN GREGSON
Leader Worcester City Council Labour Group

Police involved in postcode lottery
SIR – I was reading an article recently concerning police response as regards house numbers, odd and even.
It states that you get a better response if you live in an even number house!!!
I live in an even numbered house and I rarely get a good response so I must be an exception.
But on saying that in a way police response is a post code lottery in as much as if you live in a big house with a big drive with expensive cars in that drive you get a very good response.
As I live in a normal house with a small drive with no cars in that small drive, may explain it.
But there is the other side of the coin, if they want your help or information from you to their advantage they are there.
DERRICK CROUCHER
Droitwich

My Conservative vote was a waste of time
SIR – I’m beginning to feel that my Conservative vote at the last election was wasted. Indeed I would go so far as to say that currently I would give Jeremy Corbyn  a protest vote.
Theresa May is demanding even further cuts from already over stretched police force budgets. 
David Cameron will go down in history as the prime minister who laid the path to socialism by destroying the very fabric of our generally law abiding society.
Less government and lower taxes might be an ideal of conservative think tanks, but that is being translated into mad driving on our motorways and freedom to indulge in anti-social behaviour on our streets.
A good start would be to listen to local MPs who are in touch with local feeling.  Instead of just ignoring or bribing them with positions of authority. 
Prime minister David Cameron should go and policies should change to compassionate conservatism. 
Before we are forced into socialism by ordinary people voters at the next General Election.
PETER JONES
Worcester

Move the proposed pelican crossing
SIR – With all the controversy about the new pelican crossing on the City Walls Road and the close proximity to another one, why not move it down to Croft Road to replace the zebra crossing. It would make it much safer to cross, as a lot of people are jaywalking using mobile phones and listening to music through headphones stepping onto the crossing not bothering to look, an accident waiting to happen and it would be fairer to drivers as crocodiles of people are causing traffic.
JOHN WHITEHEAD,
Worcester