ONE of the last major tasks of Herefordshire Health Authority has been to try and find a remedy for the 'beds problem' in the county.

At its final meeting it gave full approval to a package of measures which could help provide an extra 18,562 bed days across Herefordshire.

They do not include a new 120 bed or 50 bed new wing at the County Hospital but could mean a smaller building to accommodate 25 beds.

These would be linked to the creation of a 21st Century combined admissions and assessment unit at the hospital , believed to be one of the key parts of the new strategy.

Other proposals include more investment in diagnostic services, expanding the rapid response team and employing more staff in community hospitals to maintain bed occupancy.

Also approved was the conversion of Hillside at Redhill in Hereford into an intermediate care centre with a full range of services.

This is a joint venture between Herefordshire Primary Care Trust and Herefordshire Council social services and the Department of Health has already agreed to provide £1.8 million to set it up.

HHA chairman Cessa Moore described the package put forward by the managers of three health authorities as 'very modern' and imaginative and the right way forward for Herefordshire.

The same package caused long and detailed debate at a meeting of Hereford Hospitals Trust, under fire again by some GPs over difficulties in admitting patients because of shortage of beds.

The board finally agreed that its preferred option was for more beds at the new hospital.

But because this was not financially feasible at the moment it would support the package now being put forward.

It also decided that it would continue with efforts to pursue the Government for more money for Herefordshire so that more beds could be provided.

This week it will be the turn of Herefordshire Primary Care Trust to consider and judge on the package.

The debate is likely to be lively.

Many people will argue that the package offers a good deal and is welcome. But they still want more hospital beds.

The decision-makers say they can only plan for the future based on the money they know they will receive.

This package is affordable. There was no money available to pay the running costs incurred by major expansion in bed numbers at the new hospital.

The dilemma is whether to spend available cash on bricks and mortar or on more consultants and nurses.

While health authorities received a 10 per cent increase in income for the coming year there is no guarantee this will continue in the future.

Managers are concerned that if they are committed to spending money they do not have they could plunge Herefordshire into a drastic financial situation.

After the Primary Care Trust has made a decision it will be the turn of the public watchdog Herefordshire Community Health Council to respond.

A full meeting of the council will be held at the Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford on Wednesday, April 10 at 7pm. Members of the public are invited to attend.