A LEADING Worcester councillor has spoken of his sadness after hospital services were rated inadequate and placed in special measures - saying he feels desperately sorry for staff.

Councillor Andy Roberts, who chairs a key committee which investigates NHS issues, said frontline workers at Worcestershire Royal Hospital are working incredibly hard.

He also warned that the problems must be addressed but insisted Harry Turner, the chairman of the acute trust, has put everything into turning it around.

Your Worcester News revealed on Wednesday how Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission after a damning inspection.

The trust runs both the royal and Redditch's Alexandra Hospital, but an inspection highlighted safety concerns at both sites with specialist NHS advisers drafted in to offer support.

Councillor Roberts, who chairs County Hall's health overview and scrutiny committee, said: "I feel really sorry for all the hardworking staff at the hospital - and the board and the chairman (Mr Turner).

"But the matter needs to be addressed and I think everyone at the trust will have to ensure it comes through and we can reach a satisfactory and positive position again."

He said Mr Turner has "put everything" into trying to turn the hospitals around.

"As a committee when the CQC comes in we have to take a step back and let them do their work," he added.

Inspectors graded the trust inadequate for safety and leadership, and decided that it needed improvements in effectiveness and responsiveness.

That led to an overall grading of inadequate with an over-reliance on temporary staff and locum doctors, a shortage of consultants cover, A&E overcrowding and a lack of learning from incidents flagged up as some key concerns.

The inspectors did praise frontline staff, calling them "compassionate and kind", and said the care was outstanding in the maternity and gynaecology departments.

Sir Mike Richards, chief inspector of hospitals, said a "number of serious problems" led to the overall grading.

The trust says since the inspection in July significant improvements have made with Mr Turner insisting staff are working "relentlessly".