WORCESTERSHIRE health chiefs are calling on Malvern residents to air their views on plans for a new hospital in the town.

The county council's health scrutiny panel - a body comprising county and district councillors - is due to meet on Monday, February 7, to discuss South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust's ongoing consultation on new hospital and primary care facilities in Malvern.

And members of the health scrutiny panel are appealing to the public for their views on the plans.

It comes after a meeting about the scheme at the Abbey Hotel, in Malvern, on Monday, had to be postponed after 500 residents arrived and the venue was not big enough.

Malvern Hills District Council has agreed to offer South Worcestershire PCT part of its Pickersleigh Road depot site for a new health centre, provided that it builds a new community hospital in the town.

The two sites being considered for the hospital are Seaford Court - currently owned by the PCT - and also Pickersleigh Road.

Anyone who would like to submit comments can write to Sandra Connolly, overview and scrutiny officer, at Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP or e-mail: scrutiny@worcestershire.gov.uk

Further information about South Worcestershire PCT's proposals is available from Alec Kendall, development manager at South Worcestershire PCT, on 0105 760038.