HOSPITAL staff claim outdated computer systems are still causing chaos by sending patients wrong appointment times, or not notifying them at all.

Staff, who have asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs, say the situation at Castle Street has not improved.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust claimed problems with the system were becoming less frequent at a meeting last month, but staff say they are still struggling.

Patients are now also coming forward to complain about the chaotic system.

"The mistakes are still occurring with appointments, and patients are still turning up for appointments at the wrong time," said staff in a letter to the Evening News.

"This is happening all too often, and more staff are going off with stress - how can the Trust inform you all is well when everything is exactly the same?"

Cancer patient Mavis Spencer claims she was ticked off by staff for not turning up to an appointment which she was never told about.

"I had a letter saying I didn't turn up for an appointment, but I never had a notification of it," said Mrs Spencer, of Victoria Avenue, Worcester.

"I must be one of hundreds of people who have not been notified about important appointments with the doctor, how many more are out there?

"I was frantic with worry while I was waiting, but is going to be too late for some once they do get letters through."

Bosses at the Trust say the system is not perfect, but it is improving and every effort is being made to bring it up to scratch.

"We have increased staffing levels and a number of jobs have been created and more filled by people who had been taken on short term contracts which have now been permanent," said Richard Haynes, spokesman for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

"Two people have been off on long-term sick, which at this time of the year is not unusual, and probably lower than the national average.

"There is still the occasional glitch, and the system is not perfect, but it is improving and we hope to continue to make improvements.

"We have spoken to the staff, who have a lot of hard work to do, and they say things are getting better."