A HEALTH chief has spelt out warnings Kidderminster Hospital could not get through another winter safely as an acute service.

A blunt message from NHS Hospital Trust chairman Harold Musgrove said clinical cover in Kidderminster was so fragile one consultant told him "the Royal College of Surgeons would have a fit if they knew exactly what was going on."

Mr Musgrove was responding to a Wyre Forest District Council demand for the health authorities to take account of public concern about hospital reorganisation and the removal of major services from Kidderminster Hospital.

He told chief executive of the council Walter Delin there was no doubt the health authorities were undertaking "a significant task in bringing acute services and facilities into the 21st century for Worcestershire and he could understand people in the Kidderminster area were anxious.

But he pointed out: "We have had consultant advice that it would be unacceptable to endeavour to get through the winter of 2000/2001 with Kidderminster as an acute in-patient facility.

"Fortunately, we had anticipated this was likely to happen in view of some of the alarmist statements made around Kidderminster and also the length of time taken in implementing Investing in Excellence."

He said he could understand the constant questions from people in Wyre Forest and South Shropshire but added: "Let us be clear, Kidderminster Hospital could not get through another winter without significantly risking patient care."

He went on: "There has been for some considerable time, fragility of clinical coverage within Kidderminster."

Other comments from senior medical staff were also that it would be "irresponsible" to consider taking Kidderminster in-patients through another winter.

He said the comments were made before the formation of the new trust this year.

Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council and Health Concern member John Gordon said he refuted Mr Musgrove's opinion.

"These changes with the shutdown in services are a disastrous move and will lead to lives being put at unnecessary risk.

"They are doing this early in order to kill the campaign but we will continue to fight to restore the lost services," he said.