AN option to close the Alexandra Hospital's special care baby unit (SCBU) because of recruitment problems has been quashed.

Concerns were raised by health watchdogs after a proposal to close the unit and transfer the service to Worcester was put forward as part of a shake-up.

But on Thursday, members of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust dismissed the proposal, deciding to merge the unit with the Transitional Care Unit at the Alexandra instead.

A trust spokesman said: "The option to close the SCBU was dismissed even before it went to the trust board because it was deemed impracticable for any further consideration. We just have to make sure all options were looked at."

The merger of the units will allow for better integration between neonatal and maternity staff, giving a holistic approach to the care of mothers and babies.

But the need to review the unit has prompted further concern from Bromsgrove and Redditch Community Health Council.

CHC chief officer Moira Morris said three years ago the SCBU was in a very good position and had been given Royal College approval for training.