A MAN who lay at death's door during a controversial transfer to Worcester's intensive care unit has spoken of his anger and joy after his miraculous recovery.

Tony Page, of Cookley, hit the headlines when he was moved from Kidderminster to Ronks-wood Hospital the day before the town's two ITU beds were closed due to staff shortages last month.

He was highlighted as the first major victim of the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital which will be complete on Monday when the accident and emergency department becomes a minor injuries unit.

The 64-year-old miracle man, who was given a five per cent chance of survival, was riddled with infections in his lungs and at one point had his heart re-started following an emergency op to remove a ruptured appendix and part of his colon.

Speaking exclusively to the Shuttle/Times & News an emotional Mr Page, torn between appreciation for hospital staff and anger at Worcestershire Health Authority's decision to downgrade Kidderminster Hospital said: "I feel so angry at what happened. It was horrendous - an awful experience.

"I may have been on the brink of death but I was receiving the best possible care at Kidderminster.

"But because of decisions taken by an unelected body I was forced to go to Worcester. I was hardly in the best condition to travel!"

He added: "The downgrading just does not take into account human suffering.

"How do you think my wife felt having to make a 40-mile round trip to Worcester every day as I lay at death's door?

"I just cannot understand this unseemly haste in downgrading Kidderminster before the new hospital is open.

"It is clear Ronkswood is not coping and I fear more people are going to suffer as a result."

Mr Page said his anger was no reflection at the "excellent" care he received at Kidderm-inster and Ronkswood.

After two weeks' treatment at Ronkswood he returned to Kiddermin-ster before going home two weeks ago.

Although he is still in a lot of pain, he can manage to walk without sticks and is simply thankful to be on the road to recovery.

He said: "It really has been a miracle. I am lucky to be alive.

"I didn't realise that my plight had received so much attention. I have been overwhelmed by the number of visitors I have received since returning to Kidderminster - and home."