MALVERN'S new GP surgeries can now go ahead after plans were approved by senior health officials.

The South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust secured funds for four schemes in Malvern and Upton at a meeting yesterday (Thursday).

The trust will have money over the next three years for 12 of its 13 bids in South Worc-estershire, including moving Malvern's Avenue Road sur-gery, merging Court Road surgery and Malvern Health Centre and building a new surgery at Upton.

The decision confirmed comments made by Mike Marchment, chief executive of the West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority, at a meeting on Wednesday (May 12).

"We are now saying that there's adequate resources to fund those projects. Within the allocations for this year, next year and the year after, all of this will be carried out. That's a very good result for South Worcestershire," he said.

Mike Ridley, chief executive of the PCT, said: "I'm delighted that much hard work has produced this tremendous result for the PCT and, more importantly, for the practices and patients that will stand to gain from the significantly improved premises."

Tom Wells, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said the decision proved that people power could make a difference. A large number of people have campaigned to see the new surgeries go ahead.

"That's the best news I've heard in a very long time," he said. "It reflects the huge effort that many people have made in persuading the SHA of the desperate need for improved health provision in Malvern and Upton."

Coun Wells said the council would now push ahead with preparations for the surgeries, which had been on hold pending the decision about funding.

He said pressure would continue to ensure Malvern's new community hospital also went ahead.