THE multi-million pound ambulatory care centre for Kidderminster Hospital is a "huge opportunity" for the town.

That was the message from health minister Yvette Cooper after a tour of the minor injuries unit at Kidderminster Hospital this week.

Ms Cooper insisted the Labour Government was ensuring top quality care for Wyre Forest and South Shropshire folk.

Thousands of people have protested over the downgrading of the accident and emergency department and loss of in-patients at Kidderminster Hospital.

However, the public health minister said Labour had taken difficult decisions which may not be immediately popular but provided the safest medical option.

She also stressed it was important district doctors and physicians had backed the changes when they stated it would be unsafe to restore services to the hospital.

She said: "When local doctors say change is needed in order for top quality medical care for local people, that's what really counts and that's the voice that all of us must listen to."

The ambulatory centre, planned for mid-2002, will comprise surgery, therapy services, outpatients, radiology, a primary care centre and minor injuries unit.

Ms Cooper insisted the centre, and Government approval of a primary care trust, which will give doctors more power over developing local health services, was evidence of Labour's commitment to quality care.

She said of the minor injuries unit: "I was very impressed by the care nurse practitioners provide and facilities they have - particularly telemedicine.

"I think it is important the ambulatory unit builds on telemedicine and ensures it's across the board for ambulatory care and diagnostics.

"Kidderminster should have state-of-the-art technology. This provides the opportunity for Kidderminster to be ahead of the game and ahead of the rest of the region in terms of having top quality state-of-the-art diagnostics, ambulatory care and the latest in day surgery. This is a huge opportunity for Kidderminster."

Ms Cooper also dubbed the primary care trust a "great opportunity" for further development of primary care, community services and links with emergency care.

The final business case for the ambulatory centre will be put forward this week.

Wyre Forest MP David Lock said it was a "key part" of the county health shake-up and stressed doctors had been involved in discussions throughout.

He said: "This is about developing health services in the best possible way for local people and making sure local people have a very strong voice ."