PLANS to centralise Malvern's health services at Seaford Court were applauded by district councillors last week.

Members of the community and environment committee unanimously supported the proposal to bring together a range of health and social care services on to one site.

Seaford Court, on Worcester Road, was bought by the NHS about 20 years ago as a site for a new community hospital in Malvern.

It is next door to Osborne Court, which provides respite care and learning disability services, and Rowan House, which houses mental health services.

There are currently five sites around Malvern where health and social care services are offered - Malvern Community Hospital, Malvern Health Centre in Victoria Park, Seaford Court Lodge, St Anne's Orchard and the Touchstone Centre in Geraldine Road.

Coun Beryl Hickling said she fully supported the proposals to bring all the services together on one site.

"We've needed it and begged for it for years. My only concern is what's going to happen to Malvern Community Hospital?"

Coun Eric White questioned whether the Seaford Court site was big enough.

Colin Davis, director of community services, said the NHS was confident that it was.

"And there might be an opportunity to acquire some of those empty sites for social housing," he said.