A KIDDERMINSTER man who suffered two strokes in less than a month said the Worcester hospital he was transferred to did not have all the drugs he needed for his treatment on either occasion.

John Crampton, 52, of Hurcott Village, said he had no such problems when he was taken to Kidderminster General Hospital in January after suffering a heart attack.

He had his second minor stroke on Thursday, October 19, following a previous one three weeks earlier.

He was taken to Ronkswood both times. During the first, after being taken to Worcester by his wife, Lynda, he spent a night on a trolley in an assessment unit.

Mr Crampton, managing director of an engineering company, said: "Although the staff were good, they sent me home the next day because there were no beds available in the wards.

"They're supposed to send you home with a week's supply of drugs but they didn't have all of them so I had to go to my doctor to get a top-up supply."

Following the second stroke, he had to be taken to Worcester by ambulance and again stayed overnight in the assessment unit.

"Again, they didn't have the drugs to give me while I was in there," said Mr Crampton.

"There's no criticism of the staff. The staff were brilliant but they did not have the resources to follow it through."

He added: "It's just that Ronkswood can't cope. Kidderminster was absolutely brilliant. They had all the services, all the resources and it was well organised."

A statement issued by Worcestershire NHS Acute Hospitals Trust did not refer specifically to Mr Crampton's case but said: "The unit may offer a small supply for the patient to use overnight and come back to the hospital pharmacy the next day. This is free of charge.

"Alternatively, the patient can take a letter to his GP and obtain a prescription, which can be used at any pharmacy."