AMBULANCE chiefs have ruled out any connection between a sharp rise in emergency calls and the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service bosses are investigating an increase of nine per cent in emergency calls and six per cent in urgent cases in July.

However, director of operations Steve McGuinness dismissed any link with the county health shake up.

He said: "We are currently analysing the results. However, it has nothing to do with the situation at Kidderminster. It is across the whole area and the full range of health care.

"At the moment we cannot account for the increase but we have to acknowledge there is a growing demand for healthcare nationally."

Mr McGuinness' comments came after Bewdley county councillor Stephen Clee expressed concern over the rise.

Mr Clee, who attends ambulance trust board meetings on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, was aghast at the increase.

And he put the blame firmly at the door of the regional health authority which has overseen the shake-up.

He said: "Whatever spin is put this on this, the situation is not being helped by the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

"Ronkswood is so busy that patients are blocking the stretcher beds, and ambulances cannot drop off these patients, thus delaying the ambulance for further emergency calls."