PUBLIC Health Minister Yvette Cooper has confirmed the Government is drawing up a package of help to stave off a winter crisis in the NHS in Worcestershire.

Health and social services bosses from the county were due to meet her today to discuss their plans to cope with winter pressures.

These are understood to include two more wards, of up to 56 beds in total, for intermediate care at the Newtown site.

This would aim to reduce the number of elderly patients in acute hospital beds who could be better cared for on an intermediate ward or in a nursing home.

The intermediate care wards would be additional to 56 winter pressure beds.

Labour MPs Mike Foster, Worcester, David Lock, Wyre Forest, and Jacqui Smith, Redditch, met Ms Cooper last night to discuss the proposals.

"She reassured us that the Government is looking very closely at a package of help for Worcestershire this winter," said Mr Foster today.

The Government is holding talks with health and social services chiefs from areas identified as facing particular winter pressures.

Ministers are prepared to offer extra funds, but they want to ensure the money solves the local NHS problems at which it is targeted.

The delegation from Worcester was delayed when the 7.53am train to Paddington was cancelled.

But the party was able to board the 8.48am to London, said a spokeswoman for Worcestershire County Council today.

The delegation was not due to meet the Minister until 1.30pm and so should be able to make the appointment, she added.