WORCESTER'S hospital will share a £200m Government pot to drive up standards under last-ditch Government efforts to avert a rebellion over "super" Trusts.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn said the hospital would be given a rigid timetable to improve patient care after scoring two stars in performance tables.

He is confident it will achieve three stars over the next four or five years at the latest.

The improvement will allow Worcestershire NHS Trust to bid for "foundation" hospital status, which gives freedom from Whitehall control.

The move is an attempt to head-off a damaging Labour revolt in a Westminster vote tonight.

More than 100 Labour MPs are opposed to the plans, arguing they will create a "two tier" system with foundation hospitals poaching staff from less successful Trusts.

But Worcester MP Mike Foster is backing the proposals, claiming they will give more power to local people.

"I will be supporting the Government initiative," he said. "I want to see the NHS deliver for my constituents.

Electing

"I think we will get this through a more flexible system of foundation hospitals which will all be under the NHS umbrella.

"Rather than the current system of appointing people to run local hospitals, we will be electing people and having local staff on the board of governors.

"It will free up hospital managers from Whitehall control."

Worcester's £96m hospital is at risk of losing staff to other three-star trusts in the region, including University Hospital in Birmingham.

But Mr Milburn said these fears were unfounded, as eventually every hospital would be a "foundation" Trust.

"By the autumn of this year, each NHS Trust will have its own clear timetable to which it can work," he said.

"This is a policy for all and not just for some. It is not about elitism or 'two-tierism'."

The NHS Modernisation Agency will offer "tailored support" to address the hospital's weaknesses.

Leadership training will be given to managers and clinicians will be taught new skills.

But a report by the powerful Health Select Committee today cast doubt on claims all hospitals could achieve foundation status in four to five years.

The committee also confirmed there was a risk of staff poaching in some areas.