HEALTH campaigners fear a bleak winter after claiming emergency beds in the county filled up at the weekend.

Campaigners against the county health changes have also expressed "disappointment" after alleging patients endured a 50-mile journey to the outskirts of Bristol on Saturday.

However, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust stressed acute bed capacity at the weekend had not been affected by the shake-up.

It was a seasonal peak period for emergency cases nationwide and it was not unusual for acute beds to fill up at this time of year.

However, Health Concern vice-chairman Malcolm Cooper said: "We are very disappointed at the weekend's events - it goes to show there are simply not enough beds.

"The trust tells us services are improving yet patients and families have to endure a 50-mile trip down the M5.

"I dread to think what will happen if we are hit by a flu crisis."

Mr Cooper claims some patients were taken to Thornbury, 11 miles north of Bristol.

Campaigners against the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital, which saw the loss of inpatient services and a blue-light A and E department, have always maintained the county has lost 200 beds because of the changes.

Last month Health Minister John Hutton announced 86 extra beds for Worcester's new hospital to cut waiting times and improve treatment.

The acute trust's communications chief Richard Haynes said A and Es may have been full at some points at the weekend but emergency patients would not have been transferred outside the county.

He said: "At no stage did we have to close A and E to anyone. If a bed was not available, patients would have been cared for by staff until a bed was free.

"Even if beds are full, it is a fluid situation which can change at any minute.

"This is not unprecedented. It is our peak time of year, as it is for many hospitals. Our staff have worked incredibly hard to cope with a huge caseload."

Mr Haynes said he could not comment on patients being taken to Thornbury unless Mr Cooper divulged more details.

But he re-iterated if that was the case, it was from a department other than A and E.