A HEALTH Concern councillor who attracted fierce criticism after he described Worcester's new hospital as "hell" has no regrets.

John Gordon, who criticised standards of cleanliness and the design of the wards, has been slammed by members of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and fellow county council cabinet members.

Councillor Peter Pinfield disassociated other members of Worcestershire County Council's cabinet from Mr Gordon's comments reported in the Shuttle/Times & News earlier this month.

And Colin Beardwood, a non-executive director of the trust board has described the outburst as "irresponsible".

Trust chairman Michael O'Riordan added: "This councillor has had a rant and a rave and it's totally without foundation. It's demoralising for staff working under pressure in the NHS."

But Mr Gordon countered: "The concerns I highlighted came from staff. And the incidents I reported were not isolated. The situation is still the same."

Among concerns raised by Mr Gordon, while visiting an elderly relative, were soiled towels, used bandages, cotton wool and medication under her bed.

He also described a food tray as "filthy" and said he had made an official complaint about the lack of personal care afforded to his aunt.

He criticised the design of the wards which he said meant patients could not be seen from a central location, leading to a spate of patient accidents.

He added every member of staff he had spoken to at the Newtown site had said the hospital was far too small to cope with demand.

"I've no regrets whatsoever and stand by everything I said," he added.

He said a special clean-up had been carried out prior to the visit by Dr Liam Fox, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Tory county councillors two weeks ago.

"It was a pre-arranged visit and therefore they showed the situation in the best light," he added.