Government plans to end maternity, emergency and cancer services at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch has sparked alarm from patients.

But people are being urged to vote on the future of the hospital.

Jacqui Smith, MP for Redditch, is to ask the government to reconsider its downgrading next month.

The proposals are part of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust's bid to save more than �20m.

Thousands treated

Leukaemia patient Sandra Ross told BBC Midlands Today that her journey would increase to 40 miles if she had to travel to Worcester for treatment.

She said: "Twenty miles there and 20 miles back - a 40 mile journey - it does not help the situation at all."

But John Rostil, the trust's chief executive said he would like the reconfiguration of services at the hospital to be looked at.

He said: "What no one has yet talked about is a reconfiguration of services.

"So, if some services move from here the chances are that some services would be moved from other parts of the county to the Alex."

The Accident and Emergency unit at Alexandra Hospital treats 48,000 patients a year.