SENIOR figures in the health service will meet in Malvern next week to view a potential site for the town's new hospital.

The visit to Seaford Court in Worcester Road, Malvern Link, on Monday (March 5) reveals movement on long-standing plans to replace Malvern Community Hospital.

John Calvert, chairman of Worcestershire Community and Mental Health Trust, which runs the hospital, said talks were under way with the NHS authorities about securing the site for the project.

"After many years of planning and discussion which came to nothing, things are really moving now and local people are delighted about that, not least colleagues at the hospital in Malvern," he said.

"As far as Malvern is concerned, we are in discussions with the regional (NHS) office about acquiring the Seaford Court site which, at the moment, is surplus to requirements.

"Investing in Excellence recognises that we should develop within the county new health resource centres which, where appropriate, would including in patient care facilities.

"Therefore, we are considering for the Seaford Court site not only the question of in-patient care and beds but a wide range of other facilities including GP and other primary care services, consultant out-patient facilities etc, etc."

He added that the question of finance will play a role in "whether the Seaford Court site proves to be the most appropriate".

Among those due to attend the meeting is the trust's chief executive Sue Hunt and West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer, a long time supporter of moves for a new hospital.

Sir Michael was less optimistic about the current situation when he raised the issue of community hospitals in Malvern and Evesham in a speech to the West Worcestershire Conservative Association at Welland last Friday night.

"In South Worcestershire, there is the particularly worrying refusal by the authorities to give me a straight answer about the future of the community hospitals of Pershore and Malvern," he said.

"It has always been my understanding that these two hospitals would not only be protected and preserved but, in the case of Malvern in particular, developed and rebuilt, probably on the Seaford Court site.

"I am no longer sure that this remains the case."

He said although he had a meeting with Mrs Hunt, he was not confident of a satisfactory outcome.