A 79-year-old man from Kidderminster was forced to suffer pain because of the lack of facilities. Neither the local hospital nor the "wonderful Worcester hospital" which is supposed to be able to take in all patients at a moment's notice, were able to help him (Evening News, October 23).

I see Worcestershire Health Authority was unavailable for comment. Could it be that they know they will be unable to cope and are too proud (or stupid) to admit it?

If I am proved wrong I will be the first to apologise.

PETER ALCOCK,

Upton Snodsbury,

Worcestershire.