THE three Clinical Commissioning Groups have unanimously support the proposed clinical model for the future of health car in the county.

NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove, NHS Wyre Forest, and NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups have backed the proposed clinical model of care for the county and it will now be sent to the West Midlands Clinical Senate for review before being forwarded to NHS England for assurance.

Once the model has been assured residents will be consulted and asked for their views.

Jo Newton, the independent chair of the Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire Programme Board, said: “I am delighted that the three Clinical Commissioning Groups have agreed the proposed clinical model of care for the county.

"The model has been drawn up by clinicians from across Worcestershire including GPs, hospital doctors and nurses and it has been tested with national experts. It offers clinically safe and sustainable services for the whole of Worcestershire.”

Under the current plans Redditch's Alexandra Hospital will offer an adult only A&E department with 'robust arrangements' for managing a seriously sick child if they arrive unexpectedly or their condition deteriorates while at the hospital.

Key services will be centralised in Worcester, including consultant-led births, emergency surgery and inpatient care for children.

There is hope for a midwife-led centre at the Alex though.

The main proposed changes to services are the separation of emergency and planned care, the creation of centres of excellence for planned surgery and an urgent care centre for adults and children at the Alex Hospital.

No permanent changes to services will be made before the end of public consultation.