MADAM, I spotted with interest your headline 'MP Hits Back on City Beds Crises'. As somebody who has direct experience of the major problems associated with Hereford Hospital's inadequate provision, I was surprised to see MP Paul Keetch engaged in bashing Labour politicians, including those who sit in coalition with his Liberal colleagues on Herefordshire Council, and made no mention whatsoever of the beds crises, or indeed of health at all in any manner, shape or form.

As I think is probably well-known, I am no admirer of Jacqui Smith MP, Paul Keetch MP, or their respective political parties. Nevertheless I do think Mr Keetch can and should make a more constructive effort than this.

I am reminded of the time he was very dismissive when a Labour Health Minister and Dr Liam Fox, Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Health, visited Hereford Hospitals with the space of a few days.

Even then, in 2000, Mr Keetch seemed remarkably uninterested in the problems facing the Health Service in Herefordshire. When Dr. Fox visited Hereford Hospital, one of his ports of call was the bed bureau. The original suggestion that he should go there was mine. I must say that Mr Keetch's recent awakening to the difficulties at Hereford Hospitals does seem rather incredible.

It is all very well for him to rush around his constituency, looking busy, collecting signatures on a petition, but it must not be forgotten that he was the Member of Parliament for the Hereford constituency when the deal for the new hospital was done, and I cannot remember him collecting signatures on a petition then.

Paul Keetch used the phrase 'Tag-along Tories' in the context of Dr Fox's visit to Hereford. It would appear that Paul Keetch is something of a 'Lag-behind Liberal' and with reference to your article on March 7, it would appear that he literally has nothing to say.

DR PETER GOODERHAM,

Bayston Hill,

Shrewsbury.