HEALTH chiefs were grilled on the future of health services in the county at a meeting yesterday.

Worcestershire County Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was presented with proposals which include centralising maternity services from across the county at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. As the Worcester News reported on Friday, this would mean all women across Worcestershire would have to give birth at the Royal. Concern was expressed that women had not been properly consulted on the plans - which also include the possibility of creating a dedicated women's hospital on the Royal site if there was enough demand.

Coun Penelope Morgan, a former midwife, said she was worried for the safety of women who went into a troublesome labour in Redditch and had to get all the way to Worcester - especially in rush hour traffic.

"We all know what the M5 gets like," she said.

"And there is the added cost to think about for young families - the added cost of travel as well as parking costs which are at a premium in Worcester.

"This all creates added stress at an already very stressful time."

But Michael O'Riordan, chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, stressed that the proposals were clinically led and for the safety of patients.

"There is a minimum number of births recommended for consultant-led obstetric units to ensure competence and standards are maintained, and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch does not meet this recommended standard," he said.

"I am not prepared to continue with services which are not safe."

Proposals, which are part of the Trust's ongoing Clinical and Financial Service Review, also include centralising paediatric (children's) inpatient services and out of hours emergency services at the Royal

The proposals to centralise maternity services at Worcestershire Royal Hospital are due to go out to public consultation in October and the health overview and scrutiny committee will now decide whether any of the other proposals need to be included in this.