TWO nursing homes in Worcestershire are to close, sparking fears of anther bed-blocking crisis in the county's hospitals.

Worcestershire Health Authority today confirmed Malvern Bury Nursing home in Malvern and Seward Nursing Home at Badsey, near Evesham, were to shut their doors.

Neither of the homes' owners were available for comment to confirm the reasons for the announcement.

It is believed more than 40 patients would have to be re-homed when the homes close, adding to the winter beds crisis in Worcestershire. Residents at Malvern Bury could be moved as early as next month.

Today's news came just weeks after mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff branded new measures to overcome bed-blocking in the county "woefully inadequate".

Plans to lessen the problem included the expansion of a rapid response team to prevent admissions to hospitals in the first place and the appointment of a lead senior manager for older people.

But Derek Jones, representative for the Worcestershire Group of Nursing Homes, warned the situation would become worse before getting better.

He claimed the problem had been caused by social services under-funding.

"We have been predicting this situation for a number of years," said Mr Jones, the owner of Henwick Grange nursing home.

"No one is investing in the industry.

"Patients do not come out of hospital because there is no funding for them to go into nursing homes and as nursing homes close, patients are placed further afield.

"This has the knock-on effect that relatives have to travel further to visit.

"The implications are also that as beds are blocked, patients needing operations or surgery are having to wait longer as there are not enough beds available."

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said it was trying to rectify the financial problem.

"Overall funding from central Government for Worcestershire's public services has been a problem for some time," he said.

"Despite repeated campaigning, we have been told change will take time. As a result, funds are tight right across the county.

"As a council we are not giving up our fight for fairer funding. In the meantime, the problems we face are regrettable and it's a disappointment to see the closure of nursing homes.

"However, those tenants funded by social services will be looked after and arrangements are being made for their safe relocation."