CAMPAIGNERS fighting to keep acute health services in Kidderminster want to join forces with Worcester's Ronkswood Action Group to force a public meeting.

Twenty-nine Wyre Forest district councillors have voted to renew their efforts and to consider holding the meeting in Worcester to highlight their concerns about the re-organisation of hospital care in the county and the downgrading of Kidderminster General.

Six Labour councillors abstain-ed from the vote this week. But 28 others from Health Concern, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Liberal parties - as well as Labour member Nigel Knowles - were in favour.

The council's leader, Coun Mike Oborski, said the members who did not want to continue the campaign "ought to be ashamed".

"The rest of the council are absolutely determined that the fight for the hospital must continue," he said.

The councillors agreed a series of measures, which included:

6 Continuing the campaign to restore resources, secure in-patient care and a comprehensive 24-hour casualty department at Kidderminster General with "full back up and medical core services".

6 Canvassing Ronkswood Action Group about a public meeting in Worcester and a common strategy.

6 Sounding out Royal Colleges about in-patient care in Kidderminster.

6 Urging the National Audit Office to complete an investigation into whether public funds were being used wisely and whether Worcester's new privately-built hospital was viable.

6 Pressing Worcestershire Heal-th Authority to clarify acute bed numbers.

6 Gathering information about patients' views and passing this to the group Health Watch.

"It's disconcerting that, despite previously acknowledging the clinical necessity of the changes, which have now taken place, some of the councillors are determined to continue decrying the new hospital and other service developments across the country," said a spokeswoman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

"Far from improving care for local people, this action can only hamper the progress we are making to provide high quality, safe health care in the most appropriate location."

Amanda Birbeck, a spokeswoman for Ronkswood Action Group, said she and fellow members strongly backed Kidderminster Health Concern.

"We want a public meeting because things need to be explained to people in Worcester," she said today.