WORCESTERSHIRE Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's cash saving plans were unveiled during an extraordinary meeting of the trust's board last Thursday.

The measures were the result of an urgent clinical service and finance review, which started in October, 2005 in a bid to save £20 million in 2006/07.

By the end of March, 2006, however, it was announced the figure had soared to £30 million. It was followed by 720 redundancies being announced in April.

Health chiefs said the aim was to make the best use of the two hospitals and treatment centre .

They wanted to minimise disruption for patients while increasing efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Centralisation of the neonatal unit, special care baby unit, emergency gynaecology and ophthalmology at Worcester were among other proposals put forward.

Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor, said he was pleased the use of beds at Kidderminster would be maximised which, in turn, would relieve the pressure on other hospital sites.

He added: "Overall in Wyre Forest we've gained more than we've lost but that is not surprising as we had so little to lose. I'm delighted the treatment centre will be used for more elective day case procedures but, on the downside, we will lose our paediatric day surgery."