CONCERN over the amount of space for staff working in the outpatient department at the Alexandra Hospital have been raised by a health watchdog.

Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Health Council highlighted fears after a recent visit to the hospital.

Members were looking at the outpatient department and the children's ward, which have both been targeted as part of a major refurbishment programme costing hundreds of thousands of pounds.

During a CHC meeting last week, member Jenny Phipps said: "We were very impressed with both of the departments.

"But we were very anxious to see the area for staff in the outpatients department was very small and pokey and there are a lot of staff who work in the department."

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Many departments do not have exclusive staff facilities, as these are made available on a wider basis for the use of all the groups of staff, for example, the restaurant and WRVS facility.

"This ensures the maximum available use of clinical accommodation for patient care."

The spokesman added: "The facilities provided in the outpatients department supplement the generic facilities for this staff group and it is difficult to further improve on this without compromising space for clinics, on which there is increasing demand."