EVESHAM MP Peter Luff challenged Junior Health Minister Liam Byrne in a Westminster debate yesterday to justify the sacrificing of Evesham Community Hospital to meet the bills of two private sector contractors.

"Evesham must be saved," Mr Luff said in his speech, "because it provides essential services to the whole county, because closing these wards will endanger patients and because the proposed cuts will not generate the savings claimed for them."

Mr Luff said the PCT's quoted saving of around £2 million from the cuts at Evesham was unrealistic and additional costs - longer stays at Cheltenham General and Worcestershire Royal, additional nursing and day rehabilitation services and spending more on hospital care outside the PCT - would further reduce savings.

During the debate there were interventions from Dr Richard Taylor, Independent MP for Wyre Forest, and Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, both opposing cuts in beds at Evesham which Mr Luff said were very helpful, particularly as it showed cross-party support.

Afterwards Mr Luff said the Minister's response was largely as he expected and on the grounds that it was a matter for the PCT but he said he did detect some sympathy from Mr Byrne.

l SIR Michael Spicer, whose West Worcestershire constituency embraces a host of villages south of Evesham, has added his opposition to proposed closure.

"Not only would this be a serious blow to my constituents who use the wards and cannot be sure that they would be replaced by comparable facilities elsewhere in the county, it also calls into question the financial viability of the PCT's plans for other parts of its operations," said Sir Michael.