THE fight to save Kidderminster Hospital is heating up with Wyre Forest’s MP rallying the district’s political parties to unite in opposition to proposed options which could see it face further downgrading or closure.

Last week, NHS Worcestershire revealed six models for the future of the county’s hospital services as part of its joint services review. Two options could see the closure of Kidderminster Hospital.

Mark Garnier said an issue “this big” crossed party lines and he will meet politicians tomorrow to try and form a “political coalition” to respond.

“People here in Wyre Forest would not thank their political leaders if this degenerated into bickering over who has the best ‘save the hospital’ campaign,” said the Conservative MP.

“All the groups agree, on Kidderminster Hospital, we cannot afford to lose it and it would be too much to ask this town to give up more services. I want a unified view.”

District Labour Deputy Leader Howard Martin said: “A cross-party approach is the only sensible way forward.

“If all the political groups in Wyre Forest sing from the same song sheet it carries more weight than as individuals.”

At last night’s Wyre Forest District Council meeting, Conservatives were due to call on the council to voice its concern as one, calling an option which would close Kidderminster Hospital “unacceptable”.

A statement by the Liberal and Independent group also called for the council to voice members’ concerns, with leader Fran Oborski saying the two options threatening Kidderminster should be “thrown out”.

Independent Community and Health Concern parliamentary spokesman Graham Ballinger said: “There is no point in everybody putting in separate ideas – we must all be of one mind, that is my, [leader] Nigel Thomas and [president] Dr Richard Taylor’s view.”

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman Neville Farmer said it was “time to take party political positions aside” and Parliamentary Spokesman for UKIP Michael Wrench added it was time for parties to unite. “This is not a time for politicians to play the blame game,” he said.

Green Party spokesman Stephen Brown said he would “support the campaign” and Independent councillor Helen Dyke said: “It is imperative all parties join together.”