Hereford'S new hospital can be made bigger if it fails to meet requirements, writes LIZ WATKINS.

It has been designed so that it can be extended onto land now covered by two hutted wards on the county hospital site.

And all the services needed for the extension can be absorbed by those adequately provided in the £38 million hospital now being built.

This assurance was given by Jeremy Millar, chief executive of Hereford Hospitals Trust, who was answering criticisms that the new hospital, with 240 beds, was too small.

Mr Millar said Herefordshire Health Authority had tacitly agreed that it would consider funding for the extension if it became necessary.

And he disclosed that the authority was also prepared to bring forward measures to reduce pressure on beds in Hereford hospitals which had led to severe criticism from local GPs and doctors unable to get some patients admitted.

It is understood the authority will advance by one year plans to introduce fast-response teams to visit people in their own homes to assess their needs before admitting them to an acute hospital, and the provision of more community beds in Hereford. It is hoped to have the sceme in place in time for next winter.

Such measures, coupled with the fact that the new hospital will run more efficiently with all its services under one roof, are expected to reduce the number of people needing acute hospital beds.

Mr Millar said he still believed the new hospital would cope, having the use of 90 beds in the adjoining hutted wards for up to four years.

But he said that two of the worst of the hutted wards, those almost opposite the intensive care unit, are to be demolished.

The empty site would remain empty, an ideal position for an extension to the hospital if this became necessary. With more money promised to come into the NHS it might also be possible to get rid of all the hutted wards for a new extension.

The county hospital site was unique because it was flexible, with room for expansion, and this was the reason it was chosen for a new hospital, rather than St Mary's Hospital, or a green-field site.

Both Mr Millar and Melvyn Ellis, chief executive of Herefordshire Health Authority, have asked for a meeting with the Herefordshire branch of the British Medical Association to discuss concerns about the size of the hospital and the difficulties faced by some GPs in getting their patients admitted to hospital.

In a recent protest the BMA said patients were being 'stacked' up at home until beds became available.

There is concern in some quarters that arguing between doctors and management could jeopardise Herefordshire's position for a share in more cash which the Government is promising for the NHS.