AN outline business case for a new Malvern hospital will be presented at a meeting of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust next week.

The report confirms the need for a new hospital but reaches no conclusions as to the precise size or range of services it would offer or where it would be built.

Two potential new sites are identified in the report and estimated costs for building are put at between £15 million and £19 million, depending on the number of beds and the facilities provided.

A basic 18-bed hospital with out-patient care and diagnostic services would cost £14.9 million.

A larger hospital with an additional 12 beds, a Minor Injuries Unit and two beds for palliative care would cost £18.9 million.

Operating costs for the two range from £2,500,000 a year to £4,325,000.

The report accepts that following public meetings last year the Seaford Court site is preferred by most local people. It states, however, that because of the need to offer value for money and "release maximum value from existing assets", the PCT needs to be flexible and the report does not back any particular site.

The new sites are a greenfield site in the Lower Howsell area of Malvern Link and the BMX track off Townsend Way.

Using either of the sites would delay construction by between six and 12 months, the report estimates.

"It would enhance the healthcare experience of thousands of local people," states the report.

The next step is for the PCT board to endorse the business case for a new hospital and agree the location and size.

The report will be presented to the PCT board at a meeting at County Hall on Wednesday (February 1), at 9.30am.