CIVIC leaders and MPs have met with Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt over the ongoing crisis at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital.

Local MPs Karen Lumley, Sajid Javid and Nadhim Zahawi together with Redditch Council leader Bill Hartnett, Bromsgrove Council leader Margaret Sherrey and Councillor Mike Gittus for Stratford held talks with Mr Hunt earlier this week.

It comes after a decision to close the maternity unit at the Alexandra Hospital.

The closure was announced last month by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which says it didn't have enough staff to operate the unit safely.

Campaigners have said that the closure will throw maternity units in Worcestershire and beyond into chaos as they struggle to cope with the influx of expectant mothers.

The trust has also come under fire for the long awaited hospitals revamp programme which is still on-going.

Redditch MP Mrs Lumley said that Mr Hunt agreed to meet the MPs again after a report into the trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has been published, expected in the next two weeks.

She said after the report comes out they can decide a way forward together, with the head of the CQC.

"It was made clear by all to the Mr Hunt that enough is enough and five years was too long," she added.

"It was a good meeting and we all agreed we needed to move to the end game now."

Responding, Mr Hunt said: “The local leaders have made clear to me how important it is that we secure a lasting and expedient resolution.

"The upcoming publication of the Independent CQC Inspection report into Worcestershire services will serve as an important benchmark in moving forwards.

"Following this, I will be calling on NHS Improvement to present their plan for the future directly to me and to local MPs”.