MATERNITY services could be expanded at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in a bid to prevent another "tragedy" in which six babies died at a county birthing centre.

The revelation was made yesterday by hospitals' chief John Rostill, who said he personally felt that Kidderminster's Wyre Forest Birth Centre should never re-open.

The centre has been shrouded in controversy since it was closed down in September 2003, following the deaths of two babies.

A public inquiry was launched, which discovered four other babies had died at the centre between 2000 and 2003.

The inquiry culminated in a scathing report, published last month, detailing a catalogue of failings and shortcomings in care that could have contributed to the death of the babies.

A list of 27 recommendations were made, which are now being considered by a special panel set up to decide the centre's future.

The centre was run by midwives and was only supposed to deal with births that were unlikely to have any complications.

Mr Rostill, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the birth centre as well as, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Alexandra Hospital, in Redditch, and Kidderminster Hospital, said he felt the centre should not re-open.

Instead, extra wards should be created, both at the Royal and the Alexandra, that would operate like the birth centre, catering for "low risk" births.

They would run alongside both of the hospitals existing maternity wards that are managed by more qualified consultants and could react quickly in case of an emergency, unlike the birth centre.

"We had a very unfortunate and regrettable experience at the birth centre and I'm at pains to guarantee that such a tragedy does not occur again," said Mr Rostill.

"Although I'm going to face criticism for making what some might think is an unpalatable decision, I will continue to make decisions that put the safety of mothers and babies at the top of the agenda."

He said he didn't know whether the changes would mean extending the Royal and the Alexandra, adding: "We have yet to establish how it would affect the fabric of the buildings."

He stressed that closing down the centre and providing only ante-natal services from it was his own personal view and not the opinion of the trust or the special panel, which is yet to make its conclusions.

Nina Woodford, secretary of the Worcestershire branch of trade union UNISON, said staff at the unit were very upset.

"We feel for the people of Kidderminster because if you're expecting a baby you want to have it as close to home as you can," she added.