A HIGHLY productive meeting with the Shadow Health Secretary has taken place to discuss the future of a new community hospital in Malvern.

Representatives from Malvern Town Council led by Councillor Ralph Madden met the Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley in the parliamentary office of Sir Michael Spicer, MP for West Worcestershire. Harriett Baldwin, Conservative parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire, was also present at the meeting.

After the meeting Sir Michael said: "I was particularly pleased that Andrew Lansley said that, subject to his diary commitments, he would do his best to visit Malvern to see for himself the very great need that exists there for a new community hospital."

Sir Michael has now tabled another question in Parliament to Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary, asking her when she will make a statement on the future of the hospital.