I recently had to take my husband for emergency treatment at the NHS Walk-in Out of Hours Centre at the Vale Community Hospital in Dursley as this was the nearest centre open at the time.

We were very impressed with the service provided in such excellent, modern and up to date facilities.

After we had left we immediately asked ourselves why Thornbury, with a population of over 12,000, did not have such a community facility when Dursley only has a population of 6,700.

Not only does Thornbury have a bigger population but the town is growing as a result of all the new housing development so the need for improved health facilities is paramount.

Ironically, later that same day we received the local Focus newsletter published by the Liberal Democrats through our door. On the front of the leaflet was an article about our local Liberal Democrat councillors campaigning for a new Health Centre.

Given our concerns that the government has decided to withdraw funding for a new health centre, I shall be supporting the petition and I would urge your readers to do the same by writing to the Liberal Democrats at Freepost South Glos Lib Dems or you can sign online at southgloslibdems.org.uk/fund_thornbury_health_centre.

I would like Luke Hall to press the Health Minister to reverse his decision not to replace the old health centre after making promises to Thornbury residents.

Our community desperately needs updated community facilities to not only include a community hospital to replace Thornbury Hospital which has now closed but a new health centre.

Jenny Gilbert

Thornbury