WORCESTERSHIRE’S longest-serving MP has praised the county’s NHS on his final official engagement.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Sir Peter Luff, who is stepping down from the role he has held since 1997 at May’s General Election, visited Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Friday, March 20.

The Conservative politician – who also served as MP for Worcester from 1992 until 1997 – said he had seen some dramatic changes over the past 23 years and believed healthcare in the county was now better than ever.

“I now receive more letters and emails of praise for our local hospitals than of complaint,” he said.

“Even in the most challenging area – accident and emergency – I have been receiving messages of praise for the treatment local people have received.

“This is a real transformation from the situation when I was first elected in 1992.

“We should be proud of what our hospitals are achieving.”

Worcestershire’s hospitals have been under serious pressure for months and Sir Peter added his voice to an appeal to patients only to go to A&E in a genuine emergency.

He added he believed staff were doing everything they can to address the problems.

“I am always impressed by the hard work and dedication of NHS staff in Worcestershire– so I was saddened to hear their frustration with the attacks of campaigners and with the media who always seem to give prominence to negative stories about our hospitals,” he said.

“All the staff at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust work exceptionally hard, often in difficult circumstances and they should receive praise and gratitude for the work they do.”