HEALTH Concern launched its election campaign outside Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday. Richard Taylor on the campaign trail with Allan Pritchard.
Candidate Dr Richard Taylor said it was an "enjoyable and stimulating" experience due to the positive response of townsfolk.
However, he was concerned to learn Health Secretary Alan Milburn had cut the first sod for a new hospital in Hexham. Mr Milburn lives seven miles from Hexham, a town of 11,000 about 16 miles from Newcastle.
Dr Taylor said: "The hospital wiLl replace a small, district general hospital that had 125 beds - we had 300.
"Mr Milburn said ' at one time it was thought the hospital would disappear and that would have been tragic.
"He is also reported to have said he knew from personal experience a hospital was necessary in Hexham and people in Tynedale should not be made to travel to either Newcastle or Carlisle."
He added: "So to Mr Milburn 16 miles is too far for 11,000 of his neighbours to travel but it is good enough for the people of Wyre Forest and South Shropshire."
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