THE chief officer for Wyre Forest's health watchdog has voiced fresh concern after Worcester's new hospital again diverted some patients to Redditch.

Jenny Knowles said patients had been taken to the Alexandra Hospital on several occasions last week during busy periods.

Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor said opponents of plans to downgrade services at Kidderminster had been telling health chiefs for a long time their scheme would not work.

He said: "In the year before Kidderminster accident and emergency unit closed the three A&E departments in the county were dealing with approximately the same number of cases each.

"Kidderminster received 43,100, Redditch 43,500 and Worcester about 45,000. Even if 75 per cent of those who would have been admitted to Kidderminster went through the minor injuries unit, that still leaves a quarter - at least 10,000 to 12,000 people who have to be accommodated at Worcester."

Peter Forrester, chief executive of Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust, confirmed two cases - "not serious" - had been diverted to Redditch.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We have had a couple of busy weeks. People are making this out to be a big deal and it's not.

"It's not that the hospital can't cope, it's to do with the fact people can be treated more quickly by being sent to another hospital."