CONTROVERSIAL firm Jarvis has been picked to run a new treatment centre opening at Kidderminster hospital in the autumn.

Jarvis Plc - which was responsible for maintaining the stretch of track blamed for the Potters Bar rail crash - will operate the orthopaedic centre in partnership with Interhealth Canada.

It is expected to carry out 1,800 operations for spine and joint complaints every year, starting this autumn.

Last week, the Evening News told how the centre is an extension to the treatment centre on the same site run by the NHS.

That treats around 16,000 cases per year for a variety of complaints.

Health Minister John Hutton said: "This is good news for patients in Worcestershire who will benefit from speedier treatment and a choice of where they are treated.

"These treatment centres will provide extra staff and extra capacity to help the NHS carry out more orthopaedic operations in these areas.

"The NHS is growing quickly, but we need more capacity to make sure that patients wait no longer than necessary for their operations.

"That is why, on top of the treatment centres run by the NHS, we are also working with the independent sector to provide even more operations.

"All treatment centres, whether they are run directly by the NHS or by independent companies on behalf of the NHS, will treat NHS patients and deliver quality care to NHS standards and principles.

"Treatment is free at the point of use and delivered according to need".

Jarvis holds a variety of public sector contracts, including rail maintenance and education services.

Seven people were killed and 60 injured at Potters Bar when a set of points came loose and derailed a commuter train on May, 10 2002. Jarvis was the company paid to maintain that stretch of track on behalf of Railtrack.

The company blamed sabotage.