Health cuts which could threaten a Midland hospital are necessary to reduce NHS budget deficits, Tony Blair insisted.

The Prime Minister was challenged in the House of Commons over proposals to slash £20 million from health services in Worcestershire.

Options include downgrading the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch by centralising obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatric services in Worcester - and cutting services at the Alexandra's accident and emergency department.

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Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, is also responsible for Kidderminster Hospital, where blue-light services were cut five years ago.

But Mr Blair said that the Government had played its role by putting more money into the NHS.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Worcestershire MP Julie Kirkbride (Con Bromsgrove) said: "May I remind the Prime Minister that in 1997 there were three acute hospitals Worcestershire." The third is Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

She added: "His Government closed one in Kidderminster and is threatening the Alexander in Redditch, which he might remember visiting during

the General Election."

She said the Prime Minister liked to boast about the increased money going into the NHS, adding: "My constituents are entitled to ask where is all this money going, and what is he going to do about it?"

Mr Blair replied: "The three Primary Care Trusts in her area have been allocated a total of £509 million. That is a cash increase of almost ten per cent.

"And over the past few years we have reduced waiting lists, we have reduced waiting times, and we have better cancer and cardiac care.

"But whatever Government is in power, and however much money they give to the National Health Service, there still has to be proper financial accountability.

"We are working with her local NHS trust to try and make sure they put into place the methods necessary to reduce their deficit." A public consultation over the future of hospital services in Worcestershire has been postponed to give more opportunity for residents to express their concerns.

The trust revealed earlier this week that it was hoping to draw up new proposals which might involve retaining more services at the Alexandra Hospital.