PLANS for a new hospital in Malvern moved a step closer this week.

Health officials are making the case for the development of a new Malvern Community Hospital and expanded services at the Seaford Court site in Malvern Link.

Worcestershire Community and Mental Health NHS Trust approved an outline business plan for the new hospital at its board meeting on Tuesday (May 1).

The plans will now be sent to Worcestershire Health Authority and the West Midlands NHS regional office for approval.

Sue Hunt, chief executive of the trust, said: "We are at a very early stage but what we've done is put forward a proposal for what use we might put Seaford Court to."

The proposal is for a "primary care resource centre" on the site off Worcester Road, which would include hospital beds, GP facilities and consultant out-patient clinics.

It would also include facilities for minor operations, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social services and mental health services.

"The regional office and the health authority will now look at the plan from a budgetary point of view to see if it is possible to afford it," said Mrs Hunt.

"I have every confidence that it will be approved and if we get the green light we will develop a detailed business plan," she said. If the plans are approved by the health authority and regional office, they will be thrown open to consultation with interested parties.

Mrs Hunt said these would include councils, the community health council and the hospital league of friends.

"We will want to consult as widely as possible," she said, adding that the process could begin in a matter of weeks.

The new hospital would replace the existing Malvern Community Hospital in Lansdowne Close.

If the plan for a new hospital at Seaford Court were to go ahead, the existing community hospital site would be sold.

Seaford Court, which is owned by the NHS, has long been seen as a site for a new Malvern facility.

Among the leading supporters of the scheme is West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer, who met with trust officials at Seaford Court in March to discuss proposals.

Sir Michael said: "I'm delighted to hear this. It's the next step in a battle that has been going on for some time, to achieve for Malvern a new community hospital which is commensurate with the size and requirements of the town."