IN reply to the letter 'Don't make things like Birmingham' (August 4), we'd say: "Make things like Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stoke on Trent".

We had IVF treatment at Birmingham Women's Hospital after trying for a family for 10 years and were caught for twins after the first treatment.

The pregnancy was going fine until 34 weeks. Our gynaecologist was not happy with the size of one of the twins and wanted them out, but Hereford had no special care cots.

I got sent to Wolverhampton where they had a much better scanning machine and were happy with the babies' growth. After spending a week in the hospital, I came home on the Wednesday. I had to go to Hereford Hospital to collect my pregnancy notes, which they didn't send with me to Wolverhampton.

My gynaecologist was still not happy with the decision from Wolverhampton and suggested I was going to have the babies the next day. We agreed to this.

The next day I had all my pre-med for the caesarean section, only to be told 20 minutes before going to theatre that the two special care cots in the unit had been given to a couple from Gloucester.

After getting over the shock of being told this by the health authority we humbly support, we were told we were not going to have our babies in Hereford. We were sent to Stoke on Trent by ambulance where, within 45 minutes of arriving, our babies were delivered at 36 weeks - healthy weights for being early 6lb and 5lb 12 oz so they didn't need special care after all.

In our opinion we, as a happy family, suggest Hereford Health Authority spend more money to be as good, if not better, than the other hospitals mentioned, rather than saving money. The moral of which is, if a family member has been sent to a different hospital, the distance in which the family have to travel shouldn't be an issue.

MR and MRS CHILDS, Holmer, Hereford.