PATIENTS in Malvern want to travel to Cheltenham rather than Kidderminster for orthopaedics treatment, according to a hospital campaigner.

Pat Merrick, chairman of the League of Friends of Malvern Community Hospital, was speaking at a South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust board meeting on Wednesday. She said that people in Malvern were fed up with the difficult journey to Kidderminster.

Instead, said Mrs Merrick, they wanted the same opportunity about to be offered to patients in Evesham and Pershore of going to Cheltenham.

"I ask that the people of the Malvern Hills area to be included in that scheme," Mrs Merrick said.

"We all know what it is like getting up to Kidderminster and a great many people in Malvern have close contacts with Cheltenham because of the Cobalt Unit."

She urged the PCT to give residents the choice now before it comes under an NHS scheme next summer when patients can choose to be treated at another hospital if they have waited more than six months.

Board members said they hoped waiting times would be under six months by then but that Mrs Merrick's comments would be registered.