Green light for the new hospital

At its meeting yesterday members of the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust voted to push forward with the scheme, which would see expanded medical services in the town.

The new facilities will be built by Wychavon District Council and leased back to the trust for an initial 25 years. The new site would provide more beds in smaller wards and extended physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments.

Trust members, friends of the cottage hospital and district councillors, have welcomed the plans.

Councillor Judy Pearce said she was delighted by the decision. "It is remarkable how quickly it has happened - from a tentative suggestion on a cold, dark afternoon earlier this year to being at this stage on a sunny afternoon now."

The Friends of Pershore Cottage Hospital have offered up to £400,000 to buy equipment for the new site. Friends chairman Trish Freeman said: "We believe this is an entirely appropriate use of the funds that people have entrusted to us." She added that the friends would be consulting with the trust to find out what equipment was needed. "We will also seek legal assurance from the trust that, should the hospital close at some future date, funds will be returned to us so that we can continue to help local people to have the best clinical care."

Mike Ridley, chief executive of the trust, said: "This is good for the whole of South Worcestershire. We are determined to make a difference and look at the needs of the population, reduce inequality and modernise health services."

The decision is expected to be approved by the Strategic Health Authority within a few weeks before the council starts to put out tenders for the construction work.

Pershore's MP Michael Spicer said he was delighted by the trust's decision. "I will now do my best to put pressure on the Strategic Health Authority to make sure that the building of the hospital goes ahead as soon as possible, " he said.