WITH Worcestershire Royal Hospital’s A&E department found to be ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after the latest inspection, you have to feel sorry for all the hard-working staff who are doing their best in incredibly difficult circumstances.

Because, ultimately, the reason that patients are waiting so long for a bed and treatment is that our city hospital’s A&E is simply not big enough, both in terms of capacity and the number of staff.

Although the hospital trust says more doctors and nurses have been placed in the A&E since the CQC inspection in December, and that 33 extra beds will be opened at the hospital, I cannot see that curing the major problem of overcrowding.

We need radical action – but the problem is, what exactly can be done right now? Where are we going to get dozens of trained doctors and nurses ready to start immediately? Where are we putting all of the extra beds needed?

Sadly, the solution, of training more staff and expanding hospitals, will take years to make happen, because it takes years to train doctors and nurses, and extend hospital buildings.