WYRE Forest’s former MP has praised Worcestershire’s NHS for taking more time to consider a detailed list of potential options for the county’s hospitals.

Dr Richard Taylor , who was elected to Parliament in 2001 while, ultimately unsuccessfully, fighting the closure of Kidderminster Hospital ’s A&E department, says the move is “completely different” to the NHS approach 12 years ago.

He said people were not consulted properly and were not listened to during that review but now health bosses have “shown they are genuinely listening”.

Last night, NHS Worcestershire joint services review staff said they would delay releasing a shortlist of more detailed potential future models of care which they were previously expected to announce today.

An NHS statement said the review panel - which includes doctors, clinicians and other health professionals - needed more time and wanted to look more closely at potential implications and consequences of “alternative arrangements”.

Dr Taylor said: “My feeling is really one of pleasure because it shows how they are genuinely listening to people and they have realised that none of the six options are actually workable, so they have almost had to go back to the drawing board.

“They have the problems of medical staff and financial savings yet they have got to keep the people of Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester on board so I pay tribute to them for listening and trying to come up with an answer that is acceptable.

“This is so different to 12 years ago, in a good way.”

More than 12,000 people from around Wyre Forest have signed Kidderminster Hospital Alliance's petition against further downgrading or closure of Kidderminster Hospital.