THE vast majority of Kidderminster consultants have agreed the controversial downgrading of the hospital was wrong, it has been claimed.

Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor made the assertion after a full and frank meeting with 25 consultants from all specialties.

Dr Taylor, who called the meeting in his quest to expose "the truth" about the county health shake-up, said: "It was an interesting and friendly meeting which discussed the possible ways forward with regard to the inquiry which has been instituted.

"The vast majority of consultants are still of the opinion that the specific changes were wrong.

"I can't say too much about the meeting because there are a lot of discussions going on behind the scenes. However, it gave me a lot of useful information."

Dr Taylor, whose stance has been backed publicly by five hospital consultants including former hospital medical director Noor Ahmed, was delighted with the turnout at the meeting.

He fears many medics have been too afraid to speak out against the changes because of management pressure.

This week he will meet the Local Medical Committee, which represents doctors county-wide, and Wyre Forest General Practitioners Association.

The association, which represents district doctors, sent shockwaves through Wyre Forest when it stated last November it would be unsafe to return a blue-light A&E to Kidderminster.

However, Dr Taylor stressed its statement was made before similar hospitals to Kidderminster kept essential services.

He said: "I still feel their statement was forced because they were told there was no alternative.

"Yet we now know what has happened at places such as Kendal, Hexham, Bishop Auckland and Southport and Ormskirk, which the GPs would not have known about when they made their announcement."

He added: "I will be interested to hear the strength of their views against the changes.

"I will impress on them the unfairness of our situation and will seek confirmation from them that the original plan was wrong."

Dr Taylor has met the academic heading up the review of elective surgery at Kidderminster Hospital.

He praised Prof Ara Darzi's "acumen and integrity" after they discussed the matter.

However, the Wyre Forest MP would not be drawn on whether he had been convinced the review was independent following their discussion.

Dr Taylor dismissed the review as a pre-election stunt when it was announced by Health Secretary Alan Milburn on the eve of his historic election victory.