A MAN whose elderly mother-in-law had to be treated in Birmingham because Worcester's hospital was full is demanding health chiefs refund his travelling costs.

The Worcester News reported in December how 86-year-old Gwynneth Jenkins, who had pneumonia, was transferred because another patient needed her bed at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Mrs Jenkins ended up staying at Selly Oak hospital for seven weeks as she contracted the clostridium difficile superbug and could not be transferred back to the Royal or to the Ravenstone Nursing Home in Droitwich, where she lives.

Son-in-law Jim Wheldon, of Rannoch Avenue, St Peter's, Worcester, said that as Mrs Jenkins was transferred to Selly Oak for no other reason than a shortage of beds and against the specific wishes of him and his wife, he wants a full refund for the travelling costs for the seven weeks she remained in Birmingham - a 50-mile round trip away.

He claims the move resulted in him travelling an additional 1,308 miles, costing £457.80 at 35p a mile, on top of £90 parking costs for 30 visits - a total of £547.80.

He has written to John Rostill, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, with the request and also to complain about the lack of a reply since his first complaint two months ago.

"I find this totally unacceptable from the chief executive of an organisation dedicated to serving the community," he said.

But a trust spokeswoman said that according to their records a response was sent to Mr Wheldon on December 29, 2006.

"We will respond to any further complaint directly with him," she added.