Grilling for the health chiefs

The panel at A Question of Health included John Rostill, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Paul Bates, acting chief executive of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, MP for West Worcestershire Sir Michael Spicer, and Dr James Mather from Court Road Surgery in Malvern.

The hot topic of the night was Malvern Community Hospital and just when - if at all - it was going to be built.

Paul Bates refused to be pinned down on the time frame, but said potentially, it could be within 18 months if the Strategic Helath Authority gave permission for the PCT to use a private partner to build the facility.

"At the moment, I believe there is every chance we can bring forward a solution despite a loss of £13m funding from our budget."

"There is a route that isn't being completely shot out of the water. As soon as we've been given permission to get a partner who can provide funding it could be within 18 months."

He also faced criticism over a new dental contract which comes into force on April 1, and has already seen many NHS dentists in the county opt out of providing any NHS provision at all.

Other topics included GP Out of Hours provision and whether complementary therapy would be available alongside traditional health services.

Coun Ralph Madden, chairman of Malvern Town Council which organised the meeting, said he was pleased with the turnout of around 400 people.

"There were some pertinent questions and I feel we got straightforward answers," he said.

"Paul Bates repeated his support for building a new Malvern Community Hospital despite having £13m taken from his budget.

"I think the audience went away slightly disturbed and pessimistic about the future of the health service in south Worcestershire but with their expectations about the new hospital raised."

FOR a full round up of the questions and answer SESSION see Body and Soul, TOMORROW.