Queues fear on 999 calls

Paramedics are being forced to wait with patients queueing for admittance to Worcestershire hospitals instead of being able to answer 999 calls.

Patients from the Wyre Forest district are among those who have been caught up by the delays. Officials blame the problem on the "usual winter pressures".

Now Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages Kidderminster Hospital, Worcestershire Royal and the Alexandra Hospital at Redditch, plans action to help ease the situation.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is concerned that the delays mean paramedics have to stay with patients until they can be formally handed over for assessment and treatment.

This means they are not readily available to answer 999 calls.

Claudine Weeks, spokes-man for the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "Paramedics have to officially hand over patients at hospitals. It is not uncommon, at any of the 25 hospitals throughout the region, for them to have to wait to do so.

"These waits are expected during the winter months. The delays can vary but if an ambulance is kept waiting at a hospital it cannot answer a 999 call-out.

"When a longer than usual wait of any significant time is expected, managers are sent out to the hospital in question to stay with the patient. The problem is getting better now as the weather starts to improve."

Clive Walsh, director of operators for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are aware of the increasing delays in the admission process for patients through this winter.

"Part of the delay is the ability of the hospitals to take over the responsibility for the care of patients brought in by ambulance as quickly as we would like.

"This year the Trust will be investing in increased capacity in its hospitals to alleviate the situation."