HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn said unequivocally PFI was "here and here to stay", and under no circumstances would services be returned to Kidderminster.

The definitive answer from the Cabinet member will come as a blow to Wyre Forest patients, who have been battling for the return of services since the closure of the town's casualty unit.

Mr Milburn said he could not go back on the advice of expert Professor Ara Darzi, who published a report after looking into the situation.

He also said PFI had been proven a success and was "value for money" for taxpayers.

"Inevitably, change is a very difficult thing which people have very strong views on, and this is clearly the case as far as Kidderminster is concerned," he said.

"We have been through a very long process and the decisions are settled - we have the minor injuries unit at Kidderminster and it is very busy and successful.

"It is an issue of clinical safety and that is what we make decisions on.

"The worst possible thing to happen would be to open all the facilities at Kidderminster - the debate is settled.

"I believe it is now time to look to the future as the NHS across Worcestershire is on the up.

"I think PFI is here and it is here to stay.

"It is delivering on cost and on time, and has delivered the biggest building programme the NHS has ever seen.

"It is value for money for taxpayers, and without it we would not have a new hospital for Worcester."

The new hospital's official opening was attended by Independent Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor, along with a delegation from pressure group Health Concern.

David Parry, a member of the group, said it still wanted action taken on services for Kidderminster.

"We are very pleased to see the opening of Worcester's new hospital, but we are still in there for a development of services in Kidderminster," he said.

Questions & Answers

Q: What challenges do you think the new Worcester hospital faces?

A: The biggest challenge is the same as the NHS as a whole, which is how to turn considerable levels of investment into real results for patients. If you are ill and are told you have to wait months for an operation it is dreadful. It is unacceptable in today's world, and we are making progress.

Q: Bed blocking is a huge problem in Worcestershire across all hospitals. How would you cure the problem?

A: "We should be doing three things - put more cash into social services, increase capacity in homes, and give old people what they want. Most old people want to be kept at home, so we should be expanding home-based care so they can retain their independence."

Q: Hospitals in Worcester have problems recruiting nurses, and have to spend extra on agency staff. What can be done?

A: "We still have staff shortages, and we have got to expand training and get nurses who have left the NHS back.

Getting their pay and conditions of employment, providing childcare are all important, but it is going to take time. The responsibility is with the employers as well, and they have got to be flexible. They have got to make sure they offer the right flexible deal so not only do we get them into the NHS, we keep them there. Some employers simply haven't got it, and don't appreciate we live in a world where people live very busy lives, and unless they offer flexibility and support they won't get the staff and won't keep them. There is only so much I can do."

Q: Nurses from the Philippines and India have been recruited into Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Do you agree with this policy?

A: "I think as a short-term option it is fine. What we want to do is grow our own nurses but it takes four years, although the amount coming through training is increasing, which is fantastic."

Q: What about the shortage of GPs in the city?

A:With GPs I think if we can get agreement on a new contract it will be more optimistic. The future of the NHS lies in a huge expansion of primary care services."

Q: A clinic in Worcester offers single MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccinations. Where do you stand on the combined vaccine, and have your children been vaccinated?

A: "I find it wise not to talk about my children. The combined MMR vaccine is the best and safest option, and it has a proven track record. The best advice I have seen is MMR is the best and safest route, and I would not be doing my job if I sanctioned something else.