HEALTH chiefs have been urged to end the uncertainty over the future of eye services which are available to patients at hospitals in Bromsgrove and Redditch.

Bromsgrove's Tory MP Julie Kirkbride, who recently handed a petition to the House of Commons which was signed by thousands of worried residents calling for the vital service to be kept in the area, is asking health bosses to make a decision soon.

She is to write to Worcestershire NHS Acute Trust chairman Michael O'Riordan pointing out the strength of feeling among residents and calling on the trust to confirm that clinics, which are presently held at The Princess of Wales Hospital, Bromsgrove, and the Alexandra in Redditch, will remain in place.

There are fears that the service, along with vital sight-saving equipment bought by readers of the Advertiser/Messenger, may be relocated to hospitals in Kidderminster or Worcester when a review of eye services is finalised.

Such a move would seriously disadvantage many patients, especially the elderly, fear local health campaigners

A second petition, which has been organised by Catshill Tory district and county councillor Joy Bushby, again bearing thousands of signatures, is soon to be handed to Mr O'Riordan by Cllr Bushby.

A similar petition is also being organised in Redditch.

Cllr Bushby said: "I'm very pleased with the response and I would like to thank everyone for their help and support."

Miss Kirkbride told the Advertiser/Messenger: "To remove local eye clinics whose patients inevitably tend to be the more elderly or those partially sighted, from the local community is truly scandalous."

A trust spokeswoman said: "The review of ophthalmology services throughout the county is still ongoing. A decision is expected later this year."