PROPOSALS for a new super-surgery for GP patients in Worcester look like good news. If approved, the £6.75 million surgery in Northwick Road will see two existing GP practices merge.

Combining Berwyn House and Thorneloe Lodge surgeries into one purpose-built unit will provide 20,000 patients with 21st century medical facilities.

The doctors behind the scheme say it will help take pressure off Worcestershire Royal Hospital by taking on more in-patient and minor surgery cases.

On the face of it the plan looks like a no-brainer.

Key to its success, as with most things, is funding. The two existing practices have already bought an option on the proposed site of the super-surgery.

The surgeries plan to borrow the cash to complete the project against their own businesses but they then want NHS Worcestershire to pay the lease on the new building.

Health chiefs say they support the plan in principle but cannot yet commit to funding the rent payments. This does not surprise us given the dire warnings on public spending given by both main political parties at their annual conference.

Money will be tight in the NHS whether Labour or the Conservatives form the next government.

Cash for the proposed new surgery will have to come from somewhere, most likely other services.

Along with the recently-opened walk-in centre, we think this proposal has the potential to add significant benefits to health care in Worcester.

But we question whether there will be enough cash available to pay for it.