PATIENTS were today urged to speak out if they had been "let down" by the new £95m Worcester hospital.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff said he had been made aware of a catalogue of problems at the hospital, which will be officially opened tomorrow.

These include the withdrawal of services for heart patients, bed blocking, long out-patient and in-patient waiting lists, long trolley waits, showers not working, corridors too narrow for trolleys to pass, dangerously positioned soap dispensers and an inadequate phone system.

He also highlighted concerns about "clinical negligence" - including the case of a woman in labour being turned away - and fears the hospital may be running at a deficit.

Now Mr Luff wants patients who have experienced any problems to contact him so he can build up an accurate picture of how the hospital is faring.

The Conservative MP has also written to the Primary Care Trust, with which the hospital has its main contract, and to the Local Medical Committee, the representative body for GPs in the county, asking them for an "objective assessment" of its performance.

He said the problems brought to his attention were not "trivial matters".

"They could add up to a very worrying picture of a health service that is actually letting the people of Worcestershire down very badly," he added.

Mr Luff emphasised that many local people have told him how pleased they have been with the treatment received and he praised the work of the nurses and doctors.

But he continued: "While there is much to celebrate when the hospital is officially opened tomorrow, there is also much about which to be concerned.

"It is vital we form an objective opinion of the hospital's service to ensure county people are getting the health service they deserve."

In an exclusive article for the Evening News when the hospital opened in March, Prime Minister Tony Blair warned patients to expect "teething problems"

Today, City MP Mike Foster said he had discussed "snagging" problems with hospital bosses at a meeting last Saturday.

He was assured that many had already been put right, while others - such as patient meals - were currently being addressed.

The Labour MP added: "It is worth remembering that we have new buildings which have just been designated a teaching hospital.

"Compared to the situation we were in six years ago, we are streets ahead."