SIR Michael Spicer is demanding that Pershore Cottage Hospital's Minor Injuries Unit be re-opened immediately.

His renewed call follows an incident where an elderly woman, who had been involved in a road accident, was told by an out of hours GP to "get herself to Worcester".

The woman, who lives alone, was so distressed about the incident and her injuries that she has asked not to be identified.

Pershore district councillor, Trudy Burge, who eventually drove the pensioner to Royal Worcestershire Hospital last weekend herself, said: "The lady had difficulty in driving due to the fact that she had undergone minor surgery on her foot earlier that week which was still bandaged.

"She was a pedestrian in a road traffic accident which left her with a large bump on her head and abrasions.

"I am astounded that with these injuries and having no immediate family to call upon, the lady was still expected to get herself to Worcester."

Coun Burge said it was fortunate that she and her father were available to take the woman to Worcester and offer her support and friendship at a very distressing time. She added: "I feel that it is inhumane to leave a lady in that condition to find her own way to Worcester on a Sunday afternoon. It is absolutely imperative that Pershore Minor Injuries Unit in Pershore is reopened."

Sir Michael said: "I have already raised this matter in Parliament and will if necessary do so again. I am told the unit will re-open as soon as possible. This is not good enough. The staffing problem must be resolved at once for the service to be resumed in the very near future."

Chief executive of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, Mike Ridley, said: "The sickness commenced on Thursday May 31 resulting in the temporary closure of the unit."

"It will reopen when nursing staff with the appropriate experience and qualifications in minor injury nursing are recruited, or when the current staff on long-term sickness return. This is a temporary closure and we appreciate the concern and disruption caused to local people."

He added that every attempt was being made to find appropriate substitute nursing staff from the in-housing nursing bank, national and local nursing agencies and an advertising campaign.