RUMOURS the consultant-led maternity unit at the Alexandra Hospital will be downgraded to a midwifery unit dealing with routine pregnancies next year have been dismissed by health chiefs.

Although the chief executive of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust John Rostill, said it was an option, he stressed no decisions had been made.

This week a hospital source told the Advertiser plans were afoot to downgrade the unit by March with caesareans and problem births going to Worcester Royal Hospital.

But Mr Rostill said: 'People should not be alarmed. The point is that people want a safe service and there is only a certain amount of money which can be spent on health care.'