A PENSIONER could not be at her dying husband's bedside because night security at Worcestershire Royal Hospital kept her locked outside.

But a hospital spokesman said the security measures that caused the delay were crucial for the welfare of staff and patients alike.

Clare Davis, aged 80, had been nursing her husband, Raymond, at home for three years before his death in September.

Mr Davis, who had cancer, was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, September 1.

Mrs Davis said she was told that he was in a stable condition at 10pm that night, but she received a call an hour later to say he was in a serious condition - prompting fears he was about to die.

She rushed to the hospital with a friend but had to wait several minutes at the main door to be admitted.

"When I finally got to the ward, I was told I had missed his death by a couple of minutes," said Mrs Davis, of Fort Royal Hill, Worcester.

"I would have seen him if I had got in more quickly."

Janet-Marie Clark, a hospital spokeswoman, said she sympathised with Mr Davis' family but emphasised it was important to have good security at the hospital at night.

She said the phone system, which operates between 10pm and 5am each night, meant that visitors would normally be let in within minutes.

She stressed that the phone was manned by staff in the security section and did not rely on a recorded message.

"Relatives can get in by picking up the phone at the entrance," she said. "On average, about a dozen people use it each night.

"We feel the system works well for both hospital staff and families of patients.

"We need security 24 hours a day - we need to strike a balance and keep the hospital safe at night."