THE minor injuries unit at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove could be axed to save cash, the Advertiser/Messenger can exclusively reveal.

The shock proposal, which would leave more than 50,000 town residents without local emergency cover during the day, has already sparked a storm of protest.

Health chiefs at Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust are under pressure to reduce an ever growing budget deficit, presently £2.4m, and rising.

Its chief executive Eamonn Kelly claimed yesterday (Tuesday) that the nurse-led service, which is available eight hours a day Monday to Friday, is used by less than 6,000 people a year. And only a small number of those require a fully fledged minor injuries unit, he claims.

If the service is scrapped local schools as well as individuals are likely to be greatly inconvenienced.

Currently pupils needing medical attention are seen at the Stourbridge Road hospital. They may in future face the longer trip by car or taxi to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

Pam Townsend, head of Meadows First School - which is a few hundred yards from the hospital, summed up the feelings of many teachers when she said: "It's a long way to Redditch. For legal reasons I would have to send two members of staff and it could take most of the day."

Kathleen Tedstone, vice chairman of the health "watchdog" group Bromsgrove and Redditch Community Health Council (CHC) said she was shocked at the news.

"I feel very strongly both as CHC vice chairman and as a resident of Bromsgrove that we should retain the service. We are not prepared to give it up without a fight."

And in a rare move a special full meeting of Bromsgrove District Council has been called for next Wednesday to discuss the matter.

Leader Councillor Dennis Norton (Con-Norton) said he hoped the local authority would fight any attempt to close the unit.

In 1992 the Advertiser/Messenger added its weight to the successful SoS - Save Our Service - Campaign to retain a casualty service in the town.

A cross party delegation of councillors lobbied the health minister in London and a symbolic human chain surrounded the hospital.

Mr Kelly said a number of factors are being considered, including investing more money in other services at the PoW, including palliative care.

However, he stressed no decision has been made on the unit's future and any that are will be taken only after full consultation.

by PETE LAMAS