THE decision of health bosses to delay releasing more details on the future of Worcestershire’s hospitals is “frustrating” but “should not be viewed as bad news”, according to Wyre Forest’s MP.

Worcestershire NHS joint services review leaders say they need more time to whittle down the six potential models of care for the county’s hospitals but Mark Garnier said he did not believe there would be any “unpleasant surprises” for Kidderminster Hospital .

Review staff were due to release a list of two or three, more detailed options today following a meeting yesterday. It is believed an updated list could be revealed in a month.

A spokesman for the joint services review said it was unknown if the delay would push back a planned three-month public consultation due to start in November.

Mark Garnier, said: “It is frustrating but it should not be seen as bad news.

“The important point is that during the process, if they are doing their jobs properly, they look at the options in detail and are positive that other ideas could come into the fray.

“There can be solutions to the overall questions that were not originally thought about. It is right they are doing this and right they are evaluating the options.”

Mr Garnier, a member of Kidderminster Hospital Alliance, a group set up to campaign against any further downgrading or closure of Kidderminster Hospital, said he had held discussions with health leaders including Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Penny Venables.

“The overall sense I am getting from talking to people is that I am confident what is being done is in the best interests of the people of Wyre Forest and I understand there will not be any unpleasant surprises,” he added.

“The process is being done properly and there are developments, other things have come into the decision making process.”