DOCTORS from the south of the county are backing the centralisation of A&E, maternity and paediatric services at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – the GP-led organisation responsible for buying health services for the area – has published its new draft prospectus outlining what services it wants to provide.

As expected it backs the “case for change” and greater centralisation at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

But this sets the CCG at loggerheads with its counterpart in Redditch and Bromsgrove, which has already published its own draft prospectus saying it wants to retain full A&E and maternity services at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital.

The South Worcestershire CCG prospectus says: “We should be aspiring to deliver the highest quality and to use the scarce financial and clinical resources that are available to the very maximum effect.”

People have until November 18 to have their say.

Both the South Worcestershire and Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG prospectuses are part of a wider acute hospital service review aimed at saving £50 million.

Two options are still being considered; one that would see Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust continue to run sites at Worcester, Redditch and Kidderminster and an alternative for another provider to take over responsibility for the Alexandra.

Reviews of the two options are now under way and will be completed just before Christmas.

Carl Ellson, chief clinical officer for South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Our role in this review is to ensure that we support the development of services that are clinically sustainable, affordable, and ensure the very best outcomes for our patients.”