HEALTH chiefs have unveiled plans to tackle the winter bed pressures that threatened the service last year.

Worcester Royal Infirmary was hit with a massive influx of patients struck down by flu.

At the height of the crisis in December and January, intensive care facilities were at breaking point with patients transferred as far afield as Manchester for treatment.

But this year, Trust bosses are confident they can cope with any crisis.

A Worcestershire Winter and Emergency Services Planning Team (WEST) with representatives from all sectors of the health service, is putting the finishing touches to contingency plans.

Mike Mullett, director of operations and medicine for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said critical care, bed management and an escalation plan were the keys to tackling any crisis.

"Last year, there were concerns about the number of patients moved between hospitals for critical facilities," he said.

"Since then, within Worcestershire,we have bid for money to increase the capacity, staffing and range of critical care services."

The Trust was recently awarded £1.4m to fund extra intensive care and high dependency beds - giving a total of 11 ITU beds and four high dependency unit beds at WRI and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

It has also recruited 16 ITU staff.

Mr Mullett said the Droitwich private hospital and BUPA South Bank in Worcester could be used for some surgery if required.

The new 14 trolley Medical Assessment Unit at Ronkswood, which opens on Monday, would also help any situation, said Mr Mullett.

He said there would also be robust discharged planning standards plus access to community hospital beds.