NHS bosses have carried out an astonishing U-turn after an outspoken paramedic was banned from Worcestershire hospitals.

Stuart Gardner had criticised care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester, telling the BBC he thought the care being offered was unsafe. But in a U-turn hospital bosses, who had demanded an apology of Mr Gardner for slamming standards of care, have now said sorry to him and have admitted they had no authority to ban him.

The paramedic was told he was 'unwelcome' at the Royal and sister hospital the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch after he spoke out about 18 patients being cared for on trolleys in A&E corridors on Friday, January 2, saying he did not believe it was safe.

Before the ban was lifted trust chairman Harry Turner hit out at the union rep, saying he had reduced A&E staff to tears with his comments. Mr Turner also said Mr Gardner, a paramedic of 26 years service, should apologise for his remarks but now, in an unusual twist, it is Mr Gardner himself who has received the apology.

A joint statement has been released by both the union and the acute trust which read: “UNISON and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have agreed that the trust does not have the authority to exclude an individual paramedic from its premises and the paramedic has received an apology for the suggestion that he should be excluded.

“Unison and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are pleased this matter has been resolved amicably.

“A&E departments in Worcestershire, in common with the rest of the country, are experiencing high levels of demand and rely on all health partners working together to care for patients. UNISON and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are committed to providing high standards of care for all patients.”

Worcester MP Robin Walker stepped into the debate yesterday (Monday), saying there was public concern at the thought that any paramedic could be banned from attending a hospital.