A FULL scale review of health services across Worcestershire will take place under a Conservative Government, it has been pledged.

Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox promised a Tory administration would implement the review, putting patient care and health service standards as its prime considerations.

His undertaking came after a meeting with Wyre Forest Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate Mark Simpson.

Mr Simpson, speaking after travelling to Dr Fox's Somerset constituency for face-to-face talks, said: "Grave concerns were raised some months ago as a result of Professor Pollock's report, Deficits before Patients.

"But Worcestershire Health Authority, the health trust and the Labour Party have shown themselves to be dismissive and indifferent."

He added: "The Conservatives in Wyre Forest have questioned from the outset the downgrading of facilities at Kidderminster Hospital.

"What has been particularly offensive has been the manner in which this process has been handled, the local concerns have been apparently ignored and the Government has consistently refused to allow the proposals to be put to the test."

The Tories health stance is at odds with the Labour Government, which includes Wyre Forest MP David Lock.

The current administration has ruled out a review and rubber-stamped the decision to downgrade Kidderminster Hospital.

It has maintained its decision has been on medical evidence.

The outcome has seen the accident and emergency department at Kidderminster downsized to a minor injuries unit.

It has also seen the loss of inpatient services at the hospital.

Mr Simpson said Dr Fox had been particularly concerned about the "effective closure" of accident and emergency facilities at Kidderminster and had said that the centralisation of services was not necessarily always the best route forward for health care.

Mr Simpson added Dr Fox had shown considerable knowledge about the county health shake-up and its effect on Wyre Forest folk.

The Tory candidate is now waiting for Dr Fox to come to Wyre Forest to assess the situation.