By Emma Cullwick

A HEALTH chief has hit out at council bosses who he says are leaving Worcester patients with dire GP surgeries because they insist on complying with red tape.

Thousands of patients are using cramped and second-rate health centres because Worcester City Council is "not committed to updating primary care", claims David Barlow, chairman of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

He slammed the council's planning committee for twice refusing permission for a £6m surgery in Newtown Road, Ronkswood.

His comments were prompted by Tuesday's opening of the "magnificent" Henwick Halt Medical Centre, in St John's, which had been quickly given the green light by planning officials.

Mr Barlow said he did not understand why the council would give Henwick Halt the go-ahead and not Newtown Road surgery.

A third planning application for the surgery, to house the St Martin's Gate Practice, based in Spring Gardens, and Haresfield House, in Bath Road, will be considered in December.

But Mr Barlow fears it will again be refused, claiming planning bosses do not understand that the PCT's efforts to boost GP care in line with the Government's NHS plan.

"The council said the land where we want the surgery to be built is for employment use for warehouses and small offices, yet what we are proposing would employ up to 150 people and benefit 38,000 patients," Mr Barlow said.

"If the city council had a will they could bend the rules to give planning permission - they just don't seem to understand what we are trying to do."

Peter Yates, the city council's planning chief, said it was not a case of "bending the rules".

"We've yet to be convinced the PCT can't make better use of the facilities they've already got at Spring Gardens and Haresfield House," he said.

"We want to know how hard they have looked at these options before we decide on the recommendations for the new plans."