REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith has taken her concerns about the future of the Alexandra Hospital to the very top.

Ms Smith met Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt on Wednesday for one-to-one talks over proposals to transfer vital services at the hospital to Worcester to save £27 million.

She has taken a front seat in the campaign to save the hospital from losing departments including A&E, maternity, paediatrics and gynaecology.

Following the meeting, Ms Smith told the Advertiser: "I was able to tell her how important the Alex is to Redditch and the deep concern there is in the area about its area about its future.

"The Secretary of State confirmed the campaign is absolutely right to concentrate the minds of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust on maximising the efficiency savings that can be made.

"She recognised how much of a challenge this would represent to staff and managers but that it was essential.

"I raised the detailed issue of the savings target the trust has set itself, the financial implications of the new hospital at Worcester and the split site set up of the trust and will be confirming my questions in a letter this week."

She added: "It was useful to be able to talk to the Secretary about the challenges the Alex faces and how important our hospital is to us."