PEOPLE power has won the day at Kidderminster Hospital after proposals to set up an appointments system for blood tests was quashed.

Managers wanted to ensure the 200 to 250 patients having blood tests each weekday morning received the best possible care by replacing the current drop-in system with appointments.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust spokeswoman, Janet Marie Clark, said questionnaires were given out to more than 800 patients and the overwhelming response was they preferred the existing system.

"The idea has been dropped, which shows that we do listen to patients and take note of what they want," she added.

Kidderminster health campaigner, Martha Randle, said staff and patients had been concerned the change would cause delays and was inflexible.

"It's magnificent news that they have taken notice of the patients," she added.

A small percentage of patients taking anti-coagulant drugs will be given appointments because the blood tests they have are more complex.