LEADERS of three district councils have called for a meeting with the Health Minister to save eight planned new or improved doctors surgeries.

The chiefs of Worcester City, Malvern Hills, and Wychavon councils have called for a meeting with John Hutton to plead for funding.

South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, which is spearheading the proposals, was "forced" to suspend the plans last month after the Government changed its funding rules.

Under the new rules, contracts for planned premises should have been signed by the PCT last September for automatic funding - a change to this month's original deadline.

The PCT claims it was only informed of the change last November.

Funding was unlimited, but is now restricted and will have to be shared across the country's 28 Strategic Health Authorities.

The West Midlands South SHA, which runs Worcestershire's health budget, will also have to divide the money between Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Coventry.

The unknown sum is expected to be millions less than needed and, last week, SHA chiefs admitted there was "no guarantee" all eight surgeries would receive the cash.

The proposals would have meant patients enjoying improved healthcare and dental treatment and even have minor surgery at their GP centre.

Tom Wells, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: "We would be failing our communities if we did not press for the new facilities to go ahead.

"By working together across the three councils, we hope to demonstrate support for and emphasise the desperate need for all eight projects."

Mr Wells, Stephen Inman of Worcester City Council, and Martin Jennings, leader of Wychavon District Council, are also planning meetings with SHA chiefs.

Trust bosses under fire

HOSPITAL debt and parking were concerns raised by county residents at a meeting aimed at improving patient consultation.

Health chiefs defended Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital, and the Alexandra, in Redditch, as they came under attack by the worried residents last night.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust hosted the evening as part of the Government's nationwide consultation exercise, Standards for Better Health.

The trust said it was pleased more than 30 people showed up at the meeting at the Royal - despite 200 people being invited.

When human resources director Jeff Crawshaw admitted the trust had no idea how many disabled people were working for the trust, he was met with a furious response.

"If you don't know how many disabled employees you have, how do you know the problems they have or how to accommodate their needs, or the needs of disabled patients and visitors?" asked Irene Walker, a representative of the charity DIAL South Worcestershire.

He said the trust did not have the information because it was not legally obliged to.

"We don't have enough information about our staff and I feel quite embarrassed standing here saying that, but that's the truth," he admitted.

Pat Merrick, of Malvern Hospital's League of Friends, condemned a lack of parking for the disabled at the Royal.

Rosemin Najmudin, of Worcestershire Racial Equality Council, said more needed to be done to encourage black and ethnic minorities to work at our hospitals.

The trust said 11 per cent of its staff were of an ethnic minority or black.