HOPES Kidderminster Hospital will not lose any services as part of a major review have been boosted in a statement from NHS Worcestershire.

Health bosses at a meeting of the joint services review say they have decided to focus on delivering acute hospital services at Kidderminster Hospital, Redditch’s Alexandra and Worcester’s Worcestershire Royal.

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier has described the announcement as “good news” for Kidderminster.

The review panel chose not to produce a shortlist of models for the future of the county’s hospital care as planned and said they now aim to start a public consultation after a second round of public engagement events “in the new year”.

NHS Worcestershire chief executive Eamonn Kelly said: “Previously, the review has looked at six models which included a significant reduction of services or closure on one or more sites.

“Although no final shortlist has been drawn up we are now focusing our work on delivering services at all three hospitals. This means drawing up site specific service plans which will be further tested on clinical and financial grounds.

“The Alexandra Hospital is the site most likely to be affected.”

He said the work to look at maximising the number of services in Redditch would “include talking with the wider NHS to see if there are opportunities for joint working”.

“There are no guarantees this will be the final outcome,” he added. “We are committed to making sure we have explored every opportunity to provide the fullest range of services possible across all three sites.”

Mr Garnier said keeping acute services at Kidderminster Hospital was an option favoured by campaign group the Kidderminster Hospital Alliance.

“This is good news for Kidderminster Hospital and good news for Wyre Forest,” he said. “This announcement means not only will Kidderminster keep its current services but it also presents opportunities for expansion.”