WORCESTER MP Mike Foster has demanded assurances from a county health chief about Worcester Royal Infirmary's ability to cope with winter pressures.

The MP held talks with Harold Musgrove, chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, where he also sought an update on the numbers of critical care beds.

He also praised staff for the evacuation of the flood-hit Castle Street site and their flexibility in dealing with the emergency.

"I demanded assurances that sufficient capacity will exist for dealing with periods of high demand, such as winter pressures," said Mr Foster.

"Previous years have seen a shortage of critical care beds and I have asked Mr Musgrove to look at the number of such beds here in Worcester."

"Last year, there were 13 critical care beds and I am looking to see an increase," he added.

"An extra four or five critical care beds would be a significant.

"I asked Mr Musgrove to look at providing extra capacity to deal with the problems of intermediate health care.

"This has been a real cause of concern from politicians of all parties. If patients cannot transfer from acute to intermediate care easily, then the whole system gets blocked."

"Extra beds are only part of the equation," added Mr Foster.

"Nurses are needed to staff them and we discussed at length the issue of recruitment of nurses."

The Trust has 56 beds set aside for winter pressures but recruiting and retaining nurses has been an issue the Trust has been trying to address.

A meeting between Worcestershire's hospital chiefs and a health minister in London, was postponed yesterday.

Matters for discussion included winter pressures, beds and the completion date for the new £91m PFI Worcestershire Hospital.

"With progress being made on the building of our new hospital, I asked for confirmation of the completion date," added Mr Foster.

"Several constituents have asked me about opening the new hospital early.

"If possible, I would like this to happen and Mr Musgrove took this on board."