Revamp plan at hospital

Cash could be spent revamping parts of Kidderminster Hospital dating back to the 1960s, it emerged today.

The move could also lead to an increase in car parking spaces for patients and their visitors.

Some older parts of the site in Bewdley Road, used as ward clinical areas and administrative areas, need bringing up to modern day standards, according to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Bosses are keen to point out there are no immediate plans for refurbishment and nothing has been decided.

The trust's chief operating officer, Phil Milligan, said: "We are working on a site strategy that will provide plans for how Kidderminster Hospital will develop in the long term, particularly at bringing the older buildings up to modern day standards."

Instead of spending money building a new multi-storey car park at Worcester Royal Hospital, bosses will now be looking at using the funds to improve services to patients.

Work is already being carried out to improve facilities for patients at Cookley Ward, a rehabilitation area.

The proposal for more car parking comes at a time when an increasing number of patients are using Kidderminster Hospital for planned surgery.

Mr Milligan added: "We are also looking at the car parking provision at Kidderminster with a view to increasing the number of spaces but we have no firm plans yet."

Campaigners angered when the hospital was downgraded and inpatient surgery and patient services transferred say they are pleased consideration is being given to ways of improving the older buildings. They recently called for a radiotherapy unit to be based at the hospital and Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor has called for patient services transferred elsewhere to be brought back to Kidderminster.