Levelling down of waiting lists is not acceptable

We have become increasingly alarmed by the worsening position for patients of Bewdley Medical Centre on the waiting list for non-urgent operations to be performed by any of the three hospitals in Worcestershire.

We understand that this position has arisen because waiting lists have been amalgamated and patients in the Wyre Forest will have to wait longer for treatment now because of relatively short waiting lists in the period before the merger of the three hospitals in Worcestershire.

We feel that this position is not justified and is insensitive to the needs of our patients - especially in the light of the changes to the local hospital.

The short waiting times were achieved over the past few years as a result of hard work, both by Kidderminster Hospital and local GPs.

We further understand that if patients' operations are not performed as a consequence of the waiting list amalgamation, that the money which would have been used to fund these procedures will not be made available to Wyre Forest Primary Care Group to purchase services by other hospitals, perhaps outside the county.

We call on the health authority to review this situation.

The situation is not acceptable and is not equitable.

Patients should not have to wait longer to ensure all patients wait the same time throughout Worcestershire - this is levelling down to the poorest common denominator.

DR IAIN M INGLIS

Executive Partner

Bewdley Medical Centre

Dog Lane, Bewdley