Kidderminster Hospital cutbacks talks put back

A three-month consultation on cost-cutting plans which could see Kidderminster Hospital close has been put back to give patients time to air views.

Clinicians are reviewing how they can manage the county's three main hospitals in the future while facing a shortfall in funding.

Health chiefs have put forward six options for hospital services in the county but two of them could possibly spell the end for the Kidderminster site.

A public consultation had been due to start in September but has now been pushed back two months to November so feedback can be gathered before a short-list of options is drawn up.

The first of two public meetings in Kidderminster will be held at the town hall tomorrow.

All 75 places have been snapped up for the session when health officials will discuss the different options.

Chris Fearns, director of the hospital review project, said: "As anticipated there has been strong public interest and involvement in the review at this very early stage and we are grateful for all the views and ideas we have had so far."

Wyre Forest district councillors have voted overwhelmingly against any plans to scrap acute services at Kidderminster Hospital, which has already lost is accident and emergency department.