MORE should be done to encourage the NHS to work alongside the private sector, a leading healthcare figure told VIP guests at the opening of a £1m disabled resources centre in Malvern.

Sheelagh Richards, chief executive of the College Of Occupational Therapists, said that the 'vision' of those with commercial interests in the healthcare sector was to be applauded.

She told company bosses at OT Stores in The Haysfield, Spring Lane North: "There should be a facility like this in every town. I walked through the door and thought 'wow'.

"I applaud your vision. Anyone can have a vision, but without hard work it'll stay nothing but an hallucination."

"The team here have been at the forefront of changing the way things are done. We all need to work together to put an end to the myth that the NHS can't work with the commercial sector, Mrs Richards added.

"Times are changing. Profit is not a dirty word. Without profit there would be fewer resources for research and development."

She was addressing an audience of occupational therapists from Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands at the launch of the new facility.

The centre unites a resources centre for health professionals with a display of state-of-the-art aids for elderly and disabled people. Training sessions for occupational therapists, physios, nurses, carers and disability advisers will also be held at the centre to help keep them up to date with the latest developments in equipment and practical techniques.

Mary Vivienne, a senior community occupational therapist based in Malvern, said: "The facilities on offer here are wonderful. It will save a lot of time to come and see the equipment demonstrated and it's great to see the resources made so accessible all under one roof and in Malvern."

The latest equipment offering greater mobility and freedom is included in the specially-built demonstration showroom.