A WOMAN whose late mother was a hospital ''bed-blocker'' says something desperately needs to be done to ease the growing crisis in Worcestershire.

The 40-year-old, who does not want to be named because she has family working within the NHS, says the latest problems at Worcester Royal Infirmary bring back painful memories of her mother's experience.

She cannot believe that the situation is getting worse and is calling for action to be taken.

The woman's mother was in Newtown Hospital for more than two months before being moved to The Moat Nursing Home, in Leigh Sinton.

She was given her discharge papers five weeks before she left. Her family was told there was a bed for her at the nursing home but the funding was not available.

"It was an absolute nightmare," said the woman. "What we went through as a family was unbelievable. My mother went completely downhill while she was in Newtown's Elgar Unit.

"I'm not knocking the staff as they're fantastic. But they're frustrated. I remember one night a senior staff nurse was in tears because she couldn't cope with the pressure being put on her.

"This all happened a few years ago but the memories are still there. I get so upset when I read about the continuing problems at the hospital.

"Something needs to be done to sort out the funding situation. There are many nursing homes with empty beds just waiting for elderly people to be released from hospital. It just doesn't make sense.

"At least if they could move on the bed-blockers it would ease the situation with the bed shortages. Something desperately needs to be done."

A spokeswoman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust , said health and social services chiefs were working to reduce the pressure on hospital beds due to bed-blocking.

"We've seen a real commitment to try and solve the bed blocking problem within Worcestershire and we are now looking forward to seeing some significant improvements," said Harold Musgrove, Trust chairman.

"This will relieve the terrible pressure on our doctors and nurses, who are working hard to deal with a growing number of emergency admissions coming through the doors."

A FORMER Mayor of Worcester says the continuing ''bed-blocking'' problems makes her feel sick to the stomach.

Councillor Margaret Layland shares the concerns of the 40-year-old woman, quoted below, whose mother was caught up in a bed-blocking situation.

Mrs Layland's mother, Cissie, also had to wait in Newtown Hospital before being moved to The Moat Nursing Home in Leigh Sinton.

"I can still feel the pain I went through back then when I read about the problems at the hospital," said Coun Layland.

"To be honest, it makes me feel sick to the stomach."Having my mother stuck in Newtown broke my heart.

''I remember leaving her one day and walking back to my car - my legs felt like lead.

"My mum was so depressed at the time that she felt like taking all her tablets. That's really hard to cope with.

''I find it really hard to accept that things haven't changed in the past three years."

Coun Layland's mother spent 12 weeks in hospital before being moved to the nursing home, where she still lives.