A FATHER who made a 70mph car dash with his hour-old daughter because of the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital has blasted health chiefs.

Keith Coldrick and 9lb Katie had to follow an ambulance taking wife Bev to Worcester's Ronkswood Hospital when she suffered complications after giving birth. Keith and Bev Coldrick with baby Katie.

The 49-year-old, of Woodthorpe Drive, Bewdley, said the situation, which arose after his partner suffered problems with her placenta, should "never have happened" in the 21st century.

He said: "Once at Ronkswood I was literally pinching myself to confirm this was happening.

"There was a time when I would never have imagined my new-born child not being able to stay with her mother and father in Kidderminster because of birth complications."

Mother of two Mrs Coldrick went into labour at Kidderminster Hospital at 7pm on Sunday and the drama began shortly after Katie's birth at 1.30am the following morning.

An ambulance containing a paramedic and midwife was called for Mrs Coldrick, but her husband was told it was "inappropriate" for he and Katie to travel with her because she required emergency treatment.

Mr Coldrick added: "I was told to strap Katie in the car safely and follow the ambulance because it would allow an earlier release from Worcester.

"At nearly 3am and after such an ordeal I didn't particularly fancy a journey between 50 and 70mph with my hour-old daughter.

"Katie was so cold on arrival she was put under a lamp for several hours.

"I don't think the powers that be responsible for the downgrading realise the grief Wyre Forest people have endured because of the loss of in-patient services."

Mrs Coldrick was successfully treated and allowed home with Katie later on Monday.

A spokeswoman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which has overseen the loss of in-patient and blue light A&E at the hospital, said: "The baby had been examined and was well and a midwife did assist Mr Coldrick in checking that she was safely installed in the baby car seat before he followed the ambulance.

"The mother's well being was of paramount importance but the trust also wanted to keep the mother and baby together to facilitate the mother's request for an early discharge from Worcester."