South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust says it is "considering very carefully" the organisation of next week's public meetings to discuss plans for a new Malvern hospital.

Referring to the meetings to be held at the Forum Theatre at 7pm on Monday, and at noon on Tuesday, and a third in Upton, PCT chief executive Mike Ridley said: "We're very aware of the significant number of people who may wish to make their feelings known to the PCT."

He said the way the PCT achieved useful feedback from the meetings was under discussion and how it intended to maximise feedback on the many options arising from the meetings would be announced at the beginning of each event.

Last week the PCT said the meetings would follow the same pattern as previous one, despite substantial changes since the public consultation process began.

This week Malvern Hills District Council confirmed its offer to fund the new building and its withdrawal of the Pickersleigh depot as a possible site for a new hospital.

Mr Ridley said concentration could now be given to the Seaford Court site and the content of the hospital during meetings.

He said the budget available for the new hospital still needed to be clarified, and would only be available at the end of a tender process, when all costings were gathered.

It would "also reflect any benefits the PCT can achieve from residual land at Seaford Court," he said.

He added that funding initiatives from the district council were welcomed as a way forward.

"It is clearly not appropriate that more firm proposals are developed mid-way

during the consultation process, but Malvern residents can be assured that

all the views will be fed back to them once the consultation is concluded on

March 7," said Mr Ridley.

Malvern resident Rowland Clayton has written to trust chairman David Barlow asking if a vote of confidence in the PCT's actions in relation to the proposed new Malvern hospital can be put to the meeting.

See page 3.