YOU are both aware of the public disquiet that has been generated by the decision of the NHS Trust to relocate the major trauma surgery and much of the accident and emergency services from Wycombe Hospital to Stoke Mandeville.

I note from last week's Bucks Free Press that the chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council's healthy scrutiny committee, Mike Appleyard, is quoted as stating that his committee "approved this plan".

From the numerous letters and discussions that have been surrounding this subject the plan to move these services has no support whatsoever from the local population nor, it would appear, from yourselves.

One therefore has to question on what authority, and with what mandate, has such a decision been made, approved and implemented. We are supposed to be living in a democracy yet this debacle shows no respect for the public.

It is a plan that has been thought up by managers and finance advisers in the health service.

There are clearly a great number of issues that surround this decision such as: - Cost and pollution of additional travel to Stoke Mandeville.

- Additional traffic volume with resultant increase in risk of road traffic accident.

- Travel time of ambulances to Stoke Mandeville with resultant increased risk to the injured.

- Difficulties faced by the elderly and those without access to vehicles to visit relatives.

Who does the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority (TVSHA) represent?

I note that the chief executive of the TVSHA is quoted as saying we must have "strong management and real leadership".

What we want is our local hospitals to remain that local.

I note that the redevelopment of the town centre in Wycombe is on the point of starting. Why is it we can have major commercial outlets and the like, yet cannot have the basic health needs?

You have both been elected to represent the local population. The local population does not want these changes. You must therefore do everything you can to stop this happening.

We seem to be losing the local maternity care services, despite overwhelming public opposition. This lack of respect for the local community cannot be allowed to continue. I call upon you both to take some positive steps to restore democracy.

Why don't you form an alliance with each other and local newspapers such as the Bucks Free Press? We need public meetings and demonstrations to ensure that we retain our emergency and other services.

Terry Crabb,Flackwell Heath