WHAT a disgrace that a High Court judge who listens to appeals in London should allow two hospitals to close in Dorset and a very important A&E at Poole hospital which serves the entire Purbeck area approximately 20 miles away.

Dorset has seen a huge increase in population of over 80 percent over the last two decades while using a hospital infrastructure designated to handle a far smaller population. We should not be closing down hospitals, but adding to our lot and the closure of Poole A&E is an act of insanity. I had good reason to use Poole A&E only six months ago when my wife accidentally fell through a greenhouse and suffered serious cuts to her arm. The care and attention we received at Poole A&E was second to none. It’s only natural that I would wish the same for others like us who would be put at greater risk if we are forced to travel to Bournemouth Hospital. And what's the point of lengthening the queues at Bournemouth A&E? Has anyone bothered to ask the Bournemouth catchment area?

And as for the claims by the health trust of savings and a better service, you only make savings by cutting staff, closing wards and inconveniencing patients. What these measures mean is the thin end of the wedge for a poorer service and harder workload on doctors and nurses. I hope our MPs are happy with their government’s “suck it and see” approach because I sense many in the NHS will be leaving because no one is listening to those who work in the NHS.

MIKE FRY, Moorland Crescent, Upton