AS we sink deeper into despair about the future of health and welfare services in South West Shropshire, we naturally feel that we are the only victims of the doubt that has invaded the tiers of management who dictate whether we live or die in comfort.

We are not alone, however, as the same or similar ailment is widespread across the country.

What is termed “Future Fit” in Shropshire is “Success Regime” in Cumbria, costing a similar amount of money (£2m) and supported by the same consultants.

Wherever we have looked, it is a similar story and without exception public anger is focused on the attempt to reduce the number of beds in community hospitals.

Even the BMA, this week, has pointed out that compared with all other European countries bar Sweden the UK has the lowest number of beds available to patients by a considerable margin.

Of course, we have come to realise that our hospitals have moved beyond the provision of the old geriatric wards and there are several appropriate alternatives – but the adoption of the “Home is best” mantra without ensuring that adequate social care provision is in place is, quite frankly, cruel.

Coupled with the drastic reduction in community hospital beds it is not difficult to find local examples of elderly patients facing discharge from hospital to an empty and lonely house at short notice, or of 4,600 patients in Shropshire remaining in the acute hospital when a community bed would be more appropriate.

The 80-year-old patient often has an 80-year-old relative who finds it impossible to visit the distant hospitals – and this can in itself contribute to further health complications.

The NHS Chief Executive said: “Do not be too concerned about beds – they are only pieces of hospital furniture”.

Sorry chum, there are patients in those beds!