HEALTH campaigners assertion extra beds would be needed in the county has been confirmed by the Government.

Health Minister John Hutton has confirmed there will be 86 extra beds at Worcester's new hospital.

Mr Hutton said the extra beds were needed to cut elective surgery waiting times and improve treatment for emergency patients.

His statement came in answer to a question by Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor.

Dr Taylor said: "It goes without saying we have been saying the extra beds would be needed for years.

"The final figure will probably be about 200, which compares with the amount of beds lost at Kidderminster.

"We have been proved to be right so many times we can only hope the new acute trust chairman will give us some credit and not treat us as fools."

Mr Hutton said additional resources earmarked to meet NHS planned targets would finance the beds.

He said "local" health groups were looking at how these could be replaced in the longer-term with alternative facilities in the community.