On June 11 the trust arranged for representatives from the Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) to hear about the diagnostic and treatment centre, planned for the Kidderminster Hospital site.

David Evans, project director for Worcestershire Acute Trust, went through the proposed timetable, and arrangements for the coming 18 months to two years.

He explained that, following the report from Professor Darzi, more routine surgery will be carried out at Kidderminster, allowing for two to three-night stays, for clinically appropriate patients.

Members of the PPGs asked some searching questions, but welcomed the opportunity to have the information first hand, and to hear the plans for the hospital site.

They welcomed any opportunity for more services to be provided locally, but were concerned that quality of care should always be the priority.