CHIEFS at the health trust which runs the Alexandra Hospital will next week present the ideas which aim to save £20 million a year.

The cost-cutting measures, to ensure Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust can balance its books, will be discussed at a meeting on Thursday.

Departments including accident and emergency, cancer services, obstetrics and ear, nose and throat have already been identified as possible areas for significant potential savings.

Staff in these departments are being consulted so it can be decided whether the measures are credible and achievable.

Trust chairman John Rostil said: "Although a considerable amount of detailed work has to be done through this month, it is becoming clearer where and how these savings might be made - although we will consult fully on any significant service changes that are proposed."

The trust, which has an annual turnover of £200 million, has been working alongside Finnamore Management Consultants on a ''menu'' of cost-cutting options.

Mr Rostil said: "The menu will cover a range of options for each of the services, including performance improvement, service reconfiguration, site rationalisation, repatriation of work currently done outside the county and income recovery - ensuring that we are paid for all the work we actually do.''

Next Thursday's meeting of the trust will be at the Woodrow Drive hospital at 2pm.