FOLLOWING concerns about patient safety the NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body has released a statement to allay fears.

The Advertiser reported last week that the on-going hospitals revamp could be facing further delays after doctors said they had fears over patient safety.

GPs from the 22 practices across Redditch and Bromsgrove, which form Redditch and Bromsgrove Advisory Forum, wrote to their governing body expressing concerns regarding the Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire programme.

As it stands the proposed clinical model for the programme is the modified version of option 1 which was recommended by the independent clinical review panel in January 2014.

It involved the creation of a networked emergency centre at the Alexandra Hospital, the centralisation of maternity services at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and paediatric inpatients should be centralised in Worcester but a day-time consultant-led paediatric assessment unit at the Alex would accept referrals from GPs and other professionals.

The panel did not support option 2, which was the one preferred by campaigners and local MPS, which would have seen another provider, one consideration being University Hospitals Birmingham, take over services at the Alex Hospital.

The letter said that despite extensive engagement to derive the best possible plan for clinical services they worry that the proposed clinical model may not be clinically and financially sustainable.

They add that the model should not progress further until it is supported by the doctors and nurses at the Alex hospital.

A statement from NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body said: “In recent weeks a number of our key stakeholders including our Advisory Forum, have expressed their concerns about the proposed model. Some have asked for a review of the original options.

"We have listened to these concerns. We are however very aware that the independent clinical review panel undertook a thorough review at the end of last year and set out its reasons why option 2 did not represent a viable clinical model.

"The CCG accepted these recommendations six months ago. Having reflected carefully on this decision, we believe that the proposed ‘modified option 1’ still represents the best way forward.

"The very significant concerns about option 2 remain."

The statement added: "However, as part of the required assurance process we will, along with our NHS partners, be asking the West Midlands Clinical Senate to thoroughly review the proposed ‘modified option 1’ model.

"The Clinical Senate is made up of independent experts who have not been involved in the development of the proposed model. The Clinical Senate, using a national process, will be able to look carefully at the model and ensure that it is the right way forward both for local people in Redditch and Bromsgrove and those across wider Worcestershire. "

The proposals will not be taken forward until the Clinical Senate has reported.

And while the CCG admits further work needs to be completed, it has said it expects this to be done over the next few months following which proposals will be put in front of residents at the earliest possible opportunity.

The group says no decisions will be made until after this.