New public meeting on Kidderminster Hospital

An extra public meeting has been organised to discuss the future of closure-threatened Kidderminster Hospital after all the places for the first one were snapped up.

The hospital is facing a fresh battle to survive after it emerged the site could close as part of a shake-up of healthcare services in Worcestershire.

Six options have been forwarded for the future of hospital services, with two possibly spelling the end for the Kidderminster site.

It is the latest blow for the hospital which lost its accident and emergency department when it was downgraded by the Government in 2000. Since then health campaigners have battled to get emergency services re-instated there.

A public meeting was organised for June 30 but it is now fully booked – prompting health chiefs to announce another date.

The second meeting will be held on July 3 and places need to be booked.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman Norma Harvey said: "The trust wants to ensure that as many residents as possible get the chance to learn more about the review of hospital services and give their views."

Places can be booked on 01905 733981 or by e-mailing worcsnhsjsr@worcestershire.nhs.uk.