THE BOSS of Redditch's Alexandra Hospital has apologised for recent long delays for Accident & Emergency patients - caused by a beds crisis.

But, after launching emergency steps to speed up discharges and reduce the number of patients being admitted to the Alex and its sister hospital, the Worcestershire Royal, the situation has improved, says the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

From Wednesday last week patients were reportedly being kept on trolleys, instead of in ward beds, and others were stranded in A&E for more than eight hours - sometimes as long as 24 hours.

It prompted chief executive Chris Tidman to write to staff outlining emergency measures to cut patient admissions and speed up hospital discharges at the Alex because of an "escalating beds crisis".

Senior staff held urgent meetings about bed shortages and the Trust opened a new ward in a bid to improve the situation, as well as earmarking a clinician to assess every admission request.

Extra transport was also provided to take patients home.

In his letter Mr Tidman said: "We apologise for the delays currently being experienced by people attending our A&E departments at the Alexandra Hospital and the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"To put this pressure into context, we have seen a cumulative 30 per cent increase in the number of over 75-year-old patients brought in by ambulance over the last three years."

As a result of the action taken, the Alex was able to make sure, on Saturday, that 98 per cent of patients were dealt with in A&E within four hours - even though the number of "walk-in" cases at the department was almost a quarter up on the same day last year.

Mr Tidman said in a statement to the Advertiser this week: "Our A&E departments at the Alexandra and Worcestershire Royal Hospitals continue to be under pressure due largely to a significant increase in the number of poorly patients brought in by ambulance.

"Last week, the Trust put in a number of focussed actions designed to take the pressure of both A&E departments, ranging from more rapid assessment at the front door through to earlier discharges from wards.

"Thus far, this focus is having a positive impact and, despite a busy weekend, the Alexandra Hospital delivered its best A&E performance for some time, ensuring that on Saturday 98 per cent of patients were seen or discharged within 4 hours.

"We will be continuing this extra focus in place this week and will be working closely with our community and social care partners to ensure that they are able to offer additional support where required."