A SPOT check of the accident and emergency department at the Alexandra Hospital ended with high praise for staff.

The visit by Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Health Council was prompted by concerns over a high demand for beds.

But chief officer Moira Morris said members were pleased with the way staff at the hospital were handling a difficult situation.

She said: "We have already been on one 'mystery shopper' exercise to another department in the hospital and we decided to go to the A&E department, this time to watch and observe.

"CHCs across the country have been concerned about the intense pressure on beds. Staff normally have to deal with extra pressure during winter but it seems they have had no reprieve at all."

Two CHC members were at the hospital for almost three hours, during which time Mrs Morris said the department was very busy.

But she said: "It was obvious they were coping well and we had confidence in the system. They were in control of the situation."

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Hospital, said: "The team at the Alexandra A&E department works hard to provide the best possible service to patients at all times.

"A&E often has to cope with sustained levels of high activity working with other areas of the hospital to ensure the effective care of patients."