THE future of the on-going hospitals revamp is one step closer after health bosses have agreed to move forward.

The Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire (FoAHSW) programme board has unanimously received the proposed clinical model following its approval by the board’s Clinical Sub Committee.

The decision follows concerns about patient safety from doctors and calls for another model, or option 2, from MPs, council leaders and campaigners trying to protect services at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital, to be considered.

The proposed clinical model will now be submitted to the West Midlands Clinical Senate for review.

That model is the modified version of option 1, which was recommended by the independent clinical review panel in January 2014.

It involves the creation of a networked emergency centre at the Alex Hospital, the centralisation of maternity services at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and paediatric inpatients would be centralised in Worcester but a day-time consultant-led paediatric assessment unit at the Alex would accept referrals from GPs and other professionals.

Option 2, which was the one preferred by campaigners and local MPS, would have seen another provider, one consideration being University Hospitals Birmingham, take over services at the Alex Hospital.

Joanna Newton, independent chair of the FoAHSW programme board said: “I am pleased the members of the programme board have a proposed clinical model for the future of acute hospital services in Worcestershire.

“We are now focusing on meeting the external checks which need to be undertaken before we can go to public consultation.”

Detailed work on the proposed clinical model has been undertaken by three task and finish groups whose membership included GPs and hospitals clinicians from both within Worcestershire and outside the county. 

The proposed model was approved by the Clinical Sub Group of the FoAHSW programme board earlier this month.

The model will now be reviewed by the West Midlands Clinical Senate to ensure it offers clinically sustainable services for Worcestershire.

Public consultation on the proposed clinical model will start as soon as NHS England gives its approval to proceed.

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