LABOUR and Conservative Wyre Forest district councillors have accused each other of politicising the campaign to save Kidderminster Hospital.

At a meeting last night, an emergency motion tabled by the Conservatives responded to six potential models for the future of hospital care in Worcestershire tabled by clinicians. It was eventually passed with 30 votes for and eight abstaining.

The document said the model which would see Kidderminster Hospital close was “unacceptable” as well as, following an amendment, the model which would see either Kidderminster or Redditch’s Alexandra closed. All parties agreed with these statements.

Labour councillors, however, said they would not vote for it unless “political” statements referring to the NHS’s financial situation nationally and in Worcestershire were deleted.

The paragraphs said “council notes and understands the NHS must make efficiency savings”, including £20 billion nationally and £200 million in Worcestershire over the next four years.

Labour’s Jamie Shaw said: “We want the deletion of statements to do with national politics which we do not agree with and could not put our name too. If we can take the politics out of it we will support this motion.”

The statements were eventually left in with Independent Community and Health Concern councillor Graham Ballinger and Liberal councillor Fran Oborski both saying the figures were a “matter of fact” and “not political”.

Conservative councillor Marcus Hart said he was “flabbergasted, astonished and ashamed” by Labour’s response, which also included councillor Nigel Knowles saying a “Conservative will for private healthcare” was “implicit” in the motion.

Mr Hart added: “At no stage was the motion intended to be political, Labour’s statements are political. The comments were an absolute disgrace. I urge the council to unite behind this.”

The fall-out comes as MP Mark Garnier called on the district’s political leaders to unite in opposition to the options which threaten Kidderminster Hospital.