To the Readers' Forum:

I would like to add some additional thoughts to the growing concerns about plans by state officials to downgrade Westfield Hospital's emergency are to an ''urgent care'' facility. There can be absolutely no doubt that this callous and arbitrary decision will cost the lives of some patients needing emergency care. It also will make it impossible for the brave and devoted members of our local fire departments to transport sick and injured to the emergency room. You will have to drive by car or pay for a private ambulance. Closing the emergency room will make our community much less attractive to anyone who might consideer moving to this area.

An urgent care facility is simply a medical office that is open when your regular doctor's office is closed. All patients requiring life savingemergency treatent will need to travel to Dunkirk, Jamestown or Erie.

I looked into this situation through my perspective as a veterinarian who provides emergency care to dogs and cats. A dog or cat from Wesfield needing emergency care would be able to reach over 15 difference veterinary hospitals faster than a Westfield human!

Another irony is that WMH's emergency department does not cost the state anything. Closing Westfield's Hospital emergency room will not save NYS any but it will also greatly increase the medical expenses of anyone who has an emergency.

Please join your fellow citizens in expressing concern and outrage at this terrible decision. We love our pets, but isn't it more important for people to get care in an emergency than dogs and cats? Please let the state know your feelings. See wmhsaveslives.org for instructions on how to register your opinion. Pleazse do it soon. Closing Westfield's emergency room could cost you your life.

Clark Young, DVM

Westfield, NY