RESIDENTIAL care home closures and the problem of bed blocking in Worcestershire comes under the spotlight at a meeting next week.

Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor, Health Minister Jacqui Smith, MP for Redditch, and two other MPs from the region will be debating problems in the county and Herefordshire on Friday, January 18.

The event is being staged by the Hereford and Worcester branch of Care Talk, a national lobby group for long-term care on behalf of owners, managers and relatives.

Anyone interested in attending the event at the Hundred House Hotel , Great Witley, should contact Julia Barnes on 01242 680001 or 07932 150720 for more details.