ACCIDENT and emergency waiting times at Worcestershire Royal Hospital could be reduced thanks to a new scheme set to be trialled.

Health bosses have given the go-ahead for a doctor to be based at Kidderminster Hospital's Minor Injuries Unit, meaning patients in the town with minor medical emergencies could be dealt with there rather than be transferred to Worcester.

Currently, the MIU only employs nurses who deal with bruises, bumps and minor injuries. A doctor would be able to assist and provide support for more serious matters like fever and breathlessness.

Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor, who called for the trial, said: "I am absolutely delighted that those responsible for health care in Worcestershire have recognised that the emergency reception facilities at Kidderminster Hospital, despite the valiant efforts of the nurses in our Minor Injuries Unit, must be enhanced for the benefit of local people and also to reduce the load on the A&E departments at Worcester and Redditch."

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the MIU, and Worcestershire PCT which runs Kidderminster's out-of-hours centre in the same building, have both given the scheme their backing and talks are due to be held in the coming weeks to finalise the plans.