PASSIONS were running high at Thursday's public meeting held to discuss the proposed downgrading of the Alexandra Hospital.

Redditch Town Hall council chamber was packed with more than 300 residents eager to have their say about the plans, which could include the transfer of the A&E and maternity departments to Worcester.

Many were forced to listen to the meeting, chaired by Redditch MP Jacqui Smith, from outside the chamber.

Ms Smith opened the debate, pledging her commitment to do all she could to stop the downgrade.

Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust chief executive John Rostill and chairman

Rostill and chairman Michael O'Riordan then explained some of the money-saving options as suggested by independent consultants Finnamore.

Many of the proposals, which aim to save the trust at least £20 million a year, include a loss of services at Redditch.

Mr Rostill said: "What is not negotiable in any way, shape or form is that we have to find £20 million.

''What is negotiable is how it is achieved and to confirm that no decisions have yet been made."

He also said: "You will not find Michael O'Riordan and I criticising the amount of money which has been allocated by the Government - that has been very good."

Residents then had an opportunity to grill Mr O'Riordan and Mr Rostill about the options, although many felt their questions were not adequately answered.

Some of the questions asked included the cost of agency and administration staff and whether the private scheme, which financed the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital, had put the Alex in jeopardy.

Neal Stotes, from Greenlands, questioned the cost of the Finnamore report and whether this could be justified in the light of the trust's financial situation.

Gary Mason, of Oakenshaw, accused the trust of ''crackpot denial'' if they could justifiably think of moving vital services to Worcester while not putting lives at risk.

Retired nurse Terry Tracey questioned why the Alex was being singled out for cuts over the trust-run hospitals at Worcester and Kidderminster.

Abbeydale man Robin King, who was treated there after a heart attack, made an emotional plea to the trust not to downgrade the Alex: "Please do not close it!"

Ms Smith also asked a number of questions and at the close of the meeting said she would be sending these in writing to Mr Rostill.