KIDDERMINSTER Hospital has been launched into a new era with a £9 million injection of public funds into state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Health authority representatives who say it will deliver high quality "patient-centred" treatment have welcomed confirmation of Government money for an Ambulatory Care Centre.

But continuing controversy about Wyre Forest health services was underlined in parliament when Health Secretary Alan Milburn used the announcement of the cash grant to take a swipe at the Kidderminster campaign to restore accident and emergency services.

Mr Milburn praised Wyre Forest MP David Lock for working long and hard to secure the investment in the hospital.

Answering a question from Tory MP Peter Luff, Mr Milburn said of Mr Lock: "He has not been helped by those in the area who have ignored the best clinical advice which comes from local consultants and GPs.

"They confirm what we know - sadly it is not clinically safe to continue to provide the existing range of services in Kidderminster.

"We are doing what must be done, and ploughing in the additional investment for which my honourable friend has quite rightly campaigned.

"I am very pleased that we have been able to give that investment the go-ahead so that the Kidderminster area can have the modern up-to-date facilities, and the new type of hospital, it needs."

Mid Worcestershire MP Mr Luff attacked the plan, however, as possibly "unsafe". He said there was a real risk it would be under-staffed and under-funded, describing the inclusion of a fast-track surgery as "a bribe" to voters.

"I look to the Government to give the reassurances we urgently need before we start celebrating," he said.

A statement from the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said the centre was a key development in separating elective and emergency surgery in line with NHS strategy.

The centre will include a minor injuries unit, primary care centre, diagnostic facilities including radiology and a day hospital for the care of the elderly.

The outpatient facility will also include one-stop clinics, GP beds, rehabilitation and step-down beds, a midwifery-led maternity unit, satellite renal dialysis unit, day case surgery and medical day care facilities including cancer care.