PLANS to stave off a winter NHS crises in Worcestershire got off to a positive start after leading NHS Acute Trust members and county council officials met the Public Health Minister.
Health and social services chiefs from the county yesterday met Minister Yvette Cooper to present proposals for preparing for the winter months.
Ms Cooper is considering plans to help prevent a winter hospital crisis in Worcestershire.
The proposals drawn up by health leaders in the county are also believed to include creating two more intermediate care wards of up to 56 beds at the Newtown site.
A spokeswoman for Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospital Trust called the meeting "very constructive" and added the Minister appreciated the difficulties facing the trust during winter.
"The Minister was pleased to note that the availability of nurses in Worcester is enabling the hospital to continue open more beds in preparation for winter pressure," she said.
Carol Warren, leader of the county council, said the minister was sympathetic to the difficulties facing the health authority and social services.
"We're now waiting to hear the outcome," she said. "But it was a very positive meeting and the minister was very interested in the issues raised and pressures on social services."
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