KIDDERMINSTER hospital could treat emergency patients again under plans for a health service U-turn.

A special group has been set up to rethink the delivery of acute services in hospitals around Britain.

It could lead to a restored blue light service in Kidderminster - and ease the pressure on services in Worcester.

The working party, made up of members of the Royal College of Physicians and the NHS Confederation, is to begin meeting next month.

One idea proposed by consultant Andy Black is a small number of 24-hour specialised emergency centres, supported by community hospitals.

Under Mr Black's model, a local hospital would be the "assessment arm," of a major district hospital, retaining those it could adequately treat.

This would see Kidderminster enjoy emergency facilities once more rather than the minor injuries unit it has following the controversial downgrading.

The Royal College believes the health service needs a "fundamental" change.

"We need completely new thinking to solve the problem - not just refinements of the current system," said the college's president, Professor Sir George Alberti.

Campaigner and Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor said longer journeys for Kidderminster patients and the pressure on beds in Worcester meant a re-think was essential.

He believes Kidderminster could cater for emergencies such as heart attacks and minor fractures, while cases like road traffic accident injuries would be sent to Worcester.

"This working group and the fact that they are taking Andy Black's idea on board is marvellous news for us, but also good news for Worcester," said Dr Taylor.

"At the moment, the medical assessment unit is continually blocked. Even if you fracture your arm, you still have to go to Worcester.

"If we had a blue light service back in Kidderminster, a good proportion of patients would be discharged before they ever got to Worcester.

"This is a complete U-turn and if they decide to go ahead with this, the health authorities will not have a leg to stand on."