THERE has been an overwhelmingly negative reaction to the announcement of the reorganisation of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals from Worcester News readers.

The governing bodies of three county clinical commissioning groups, which hold the purse string of NHS care, unanimously approved the new clinical model at a meeting on Wednesday that will see some major changes including the permanent move of all hospital births from the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Inpatient children's services will also be moved to Worcester, while all emergency surgery will take place at the city hospital in future.

Thousands objected to the proposals in the consultation period, and similar comments voicing disappointment at the changes were made on Worcester News' website and social media pages after this decision was made.

Hazel Rogers said: "Madness - personally I've nothing but praise for Worcester Hospital but it gets many complaints, car park not big enough, treating patients in corridors, nurses overstretched etc."

Aimee Mansell said: "Wow, I'm not particularly looking forward to labour with my first born in December.

"If this wasn't my first I think I'd be opting for home birth - bit more worry to add to new and expecting mums."

Nickkie Horton said: "They do an absolutely fabulous job at Worcester Royal, but you do have to feel for them doing long hours.

"They need to concentrate more on keeping hospitals open for all eventualities, and not pile the pressure on one place."

Sophie Amelia Beever said: "After giving birth at Worcester Royal in May I can't think of a worse decision.

"The hospital is already at capacity with births and it was one in one out when I was there resulting in me being in labour for five hours on the antenatal ward, with three other women in the same room having to listen to me."

Lisa Williams said: "Never understood why they'd put more pressure on Worcester when they can't cope with the amount of people as it is."

Linda Henfield simply added: "Absolutely ridiculous."

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust say the new model will save £4.4 million year, and stress it will lead to better care for county patients.

Michelle McKay, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust said she welcomed approval of the model, saying it would bring "much needed certainty" for the trust.

"We remain committed to delivering care in hospitals that thrive and work together, to provide services for the whole of the county." she added.