STAFFING and conditions at a psychiatric ward in Kidderminster Hospital have been slammed by the district's health watchdog.

Pauline Davies, chairman of Kidderminster and District Community Health Council said ward D2, which looks after people suffering from mental health problems including Alzheimer's Disease and clinical depression, was "severely understaffed."

This meant patients, many of whom needed "continuous attention", were not receiving the care they needed.

In a report to the committee last week, CHC convenor Robert Thomas said more than 12 qualified staff should be in post whereas there were fewer than eight. Medical staff on the ward described staffing levels as a "major problem" which was unlikely to be solved in the near future because of the lack of funding. Absences due to sickness and leave created extra problems.

Mr Thomas, who recently visited the ward with other CHC members, also noted a shortage in the numbers of beds with 22 at D2 and a further 18 at Stourport, catering for a current total of 477 patients.

"This would suggest an insufficiency of beds which would not be offset by an increased concentration of working with patients in their own homes," he added.

"Bed blocking" due to delayed discharge of patients also "seriously hampered" the service's ability to provide beds where needed, he said.

The CHC also expressed strong concern at conditions on the ward. Refurbishment started by contractors which had "apparently come to an abrupt end some months earlier", had left partly painted walls, holes in plaster work and a large gap in one wall which, along with other defects, created the overall impression of a care-worn unit.

Lew Payne, directorate manager with Worcestershire Community and Mental Health Trust, said staffing levels were a significant problem across the county, but could not be addressed overnight.

However, patient care was not being put at risk as the hospital brought in additional staff as needed.

Talks were under way on the shortage of suitable nursing home places which was causing "bed blocking" and up to £10,000 would be spent within the next few months on refurbishing the ward.