THE fight to restore emergency services to Kidderminster Hospital has been given a shot in the arm by a leading medical expert.

Sir George Alberti, president of the Royal College of Physicians, told a group of MPs there was "no reason" to completely shut the emergency facilities at any hospital.

"We need to provide good quality health care wherever people live," he added.

"That should be the starting point."

Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor and Bill Wiggin, member for Leominster, are members of the all-party Parliamentary group of MPs who represent areas which have lost hospital services or have them under threat.

They welcomed the remarks.

Dr Taylor, who was elected to fight for the restoration of emergency services at Kidderminster, said: "I was very pleased Sir George emphasised the need for fair play right across the country.

"That is exactly what we are looking for.

"It is totally inconsistent that areas such as Hexham, which are very similar to Kidderminster, should have emergency services when we do not.

"He recognised that we need a front door where we can get people stabilised or resuscitated or whatever and then moved on if they need to be.

"There are 40 hospitals in the country which have some form of emergency service without having full surgical services.

"If we can quote 40, that can only help our argument.

"We are getting some elective surgery back at Kidderminster and now we need some emergency services."

Mr Wiggin said the group wanted the Government to change its policy not just with regard to Kidderminster, but the rest of the country as well.

"There are hospitals up and down the country losing services and anything that can help to change Government opinion has to be welcomed," he added.