DISTRICT doctors have welcomed the £600,000 renal unit for Kidderminster Hospital.

Wyre Forest General Practitioners Association chairman Dr Jim Goodman dubbed the development a "huge boost" to health provision in the district and said it will act as a catalyst to develop a large range of services at the hospital.

He said: "This is an exciting and significant development.

"The unit will need to be supported by a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic facilities and will undoubtedly act as a catalyst to develop a large spectrum of services within the proposed ambulatory care and diagnostic facility at Kidderminster Hospital.

He added: "Renal medicine is a very high-tech speciality, which attracts high calibre clinicians and commands the respect of most hospital-based doctors and nurses.

"As such the new unit will act almost like a magnet in drawing input from and the attention of specialists from all over the county."