MANY reasons are being given for the desperate situation in this country's Health Service.

I suggest there is only one - it has been grossly under-funded since the NHS began.

Having put up with wartime utility hospitals until March 2002, with 515 beds, we now have them replaced with a 425-bed hospital and no plans or funds to improve the situation.

This is at a time when we continually hear of millions of pounds being paid to footballers, golf, tennis, snooker and pop stars and supermarkets making £2bn profit per year.

Our tax system needs adjusting to ensure the money goes to where it does the most good to the people.

This county will be allocated £782 per person for its health service next year. Birmingham will get £985. They are 64th out of the 304 PCTs in spending, Worcestershire is 271st.

This country's health service, education, social services, transport and police service are among the lowest funded in the country.

Without a considerable increase in funding, this country's health service is heading for a complete breakdown.

It is not the fault of the present staff, nor the local PCTs.

W A RIDGEWELL,

Droitwich.