“STRONG” public interest has prompted NHS Worcestershire to push the public consultation period of its joint services review back by a month.

The three-month exercise was originally due to take place between October this year and January, 2013. The health authority has announced, however, it will now start in November, 2012 and run until February, 2013.

According to bosses, it will allow more time for people to help develop proposals for the future of hospital services in the county. The six models released by clinicians are due to be shortlisted in August, before the public consultation.

The review is in the early engagement stage and seven public participation events have been set up, including two at Kidderminster Town Hall - on Saturday and Tuesday, July 3.

Chris Fearns, joint services review project director, said: “As anticipated there has been strong public interest and involvement in the review at this very early stage and we are grateful for all views and ideas we have had so far.

“It is important we give every individual, group and community the chance to understand the challenges facing us in sustaining the quality and safety of hospital services.

“We want to do this properly and for this reason we have put back the start of the full public consultation to November this year.”

For more information, visit worcestershirehealth.nhs.uk/joint-services-review