THE question of where and when a new Malvern hospital will be built was thrown into further confusion this week with news that South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust has been offered an alternative site to Seaford Court.

In the absence of its chief executive Mike Ridley, no one at the PCT was able to tell us yesterday from whom this offer has come or where the site is.

What Mr Ridley's report to next week's board meeting does say is that while the offer does come with conditions, there is also no cost to the PCT.

It is obvious why such an offer should be attractive to the PCT, which has no new money to develop a new Malvern hospital and could then sell off the whole Seaford Court site, which it owns.

While any move that brings a new hospital closer would be welcomed, Mr Ridley's report does warn if the offer were to be pursued it would require a further public consultation event.

In light of the length and nature of the public consultation earlier this year and lack of progress since then, this prospect does not exactly inspire confidence.

WE couldn't find any local clergy willing to comment on this week's row over the Church of England's connections with Quitel S4, a firm which uses church towers for phone masts.

Some are unhappy this link with a firm with connections to Malvern's QinetiQ breaches the church's commitment not to invest in any company which produces weapons.

Perhaps our clergy are wise not to comment. If money for arms allows research to take place at QinetiQ which also helps to save lives, is that right or wrong? Life can be complicated.