THE long-awaited conclusions of the Joint Services Review (JSR) into the shake-up of health services is expected today.

The JSR has been looking at how Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust can save £50million and best manage its clinical resources across the three acute hospitals in the county.

There are fears that as a result the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch could be severely downgraded.

The JSR is meeting later today Tuesday, February 26 and is expected to announce two options.

These include looking at one of several Birmingham NHS trusts running the hospital and allowing Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to continue to run services at the hospital.

However, regardless of the outcome of today’s review, it will still be months before the fate of the Alex Hospital is known.

Both options will need further work, while more rounds of engagement with the public have been scheduled for May.

The JSR was due to deliver options for public engagement in December, meaning they are already three months behind schedule.

It has left a cloud hanging over the Alex while project leaders seek to address shortages in staff, including middle grade doctors, and save money (£50 million across acute hospitals) through centralising certain key services.

For the latest information and reaction to the Joint Services Review, keep checking this website.