A PATIENTS’ group is making an impact on the future of the new Malvern Community Hospital.

The Malvern Hospital User Group (HUG), designed to represent the public and patients, met for the first time this month to discuss the £19 million hospital scheduled to open in September 2010.

Topics debated included the landscaping options for the new site and what equipment and materials should be transferred from the old one.

The group is also keen to get input from local artists about the hospital’s decor and ask gardening experts their views on the landscaping of its grounds.

Demolition of the old hospital is set to begin at the start of next month.

Simon Trickett, head of communications and community engagement at Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, the organisation which oversees the project, said: “It was very encouraging to see such a lively debate and so much interest shown at the first meeting and we’d welcome input from anyone else who would like to get involved.”

For more information on how to get involved in Malvern HUG, call 01905 733744 or e-mail zoe.perry@worcspct.nhs.uk