West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin this week repeated her support for Pershore Community Hospital during a meeting in the town to discuss the proposals to reduce the number of beds across Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Harriett visited Pershore hospital to reiterate the fact that statistics show bed occupancy rates are increasing with beds used more than 90 per cent of the time. The Worcestershire Health and Care Trust, which runs the county’s community hospitals, has published figures for the last two years showing that bed occupancy was 91.6 per cent in 2015 rising to 94 per cent in 2016. Harrriett discussed the matter with Wychavon District Councillors Linda Robinson and Val Wood as well Pershore League Of Friends‘ vice chairman Michael Amies. Harriett commented: “Our community hospitals are a precious local resource and we all welcome the chance to be cared for closer to our homes where possible. “The latest figures speak for themselves, showing that Pershore’s hospital is running at near capacity. This simply is not the time to be discussing mothballing beds. “In my view, the current version of the plan to reduce beds is not backed up by the evidence and with such high pressure on beds at the Worcestershire Royal, we clearly need to use our community hospitals more, not less. “I hope that the people leading the review into this matter will look again and offer reassurance to local people about the future capacity at community hospitals.“ Photo: Harriett Baldwin MP visits Pershore Community Hospital with (l-r) Councillor Linda Robinson, League of Friends’ Michael Amies and Councillor Val Wood.