CALLS to provide a staff room at the Alexandra Hospital have been made after health bosses announced plans to spend £7.5 million on improvements and new facilities, writes Becky Procter.

The hospital's union revealed staff had no where to go and their restaurant had been opened up to patients and visitors.

Last week, the Redditch Advertiser revealed a massive spending programme for the hospital, including £400,000 on a new crche and £75,000 on a multi-faith centre.

But union spokesman Nina Wood-Ford said she wanted to see facilities for staff included in the plan set up by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alexandra

She said: "The trust said it had spent £12,000 on the staff restaurant, now called Quinneys. But it is open to the public as well. It's not just for staff.

"There were some day rooms for staff but they have been turned into offices and the smoking room has been taken away."

She added: "There is nowhere for staff to go. Their jobs are stressful and they need to get away from patients and visitors. But what's happening at the moment is they are working through their breaks on the wards because there is no where for them to go."

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We converted a room used by staff who wish to smoke into an office for the anaesthetic department. Space for clinical work and the care of patients is an absolute premium.

"We felt this was a more appropriate use of scarce hospital accommodation.

"Last year, we upgraded the dining room and, in line with many hospitals, it is available for staff and patients."