A STRATEGY to ease pressure on Worcester Royal Infirmary is paying off, it was claimed today.

Assurances were given three days after a senior nurse at Ronkswood described conditions in the casualty department as "chaotic", as ambulances queued for up to an hour outside.

Richard Larkin, the charge nurse on duty on Friday night, told the Evening News that pressures meant the standard of care on offer was "poor" and the environment at the hospital was the worst he had worked in.

A spokeswoman for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust declined to comment on Mr Larkin's remarks today, but pledged that staff who were on duty on Friday would be interviewed.

"We'd prefer to focus on more positive matters, such as the opening of the new medical admissions unit this week," she said.

Worcestershire County Council said it was countering the problem of "bed blockers" - people waiting for care in residential homes or in the community.

"Ten patients were moved the week before last," a spokesman said.

"The next step is when the executive committee meets on Monday, September 14, to consider whether to approve £1m of extra funding for social services."

Worcester MP Mike Foster said the strategy outlined in the health authority document Investing in Excellence was "going very smoothly".

"Whether or not people agree with the changes it's in the interest of the patients that the transition is smooth," he said.

Mr Foster said he spoke last Friday with the Trust's chairman, Harold Musgrove, about how the Trust was reacting to ease pressure on the WRI.

"It's clear nursing shortages are causing difficulties, but I'm told 75 new nurses will be recruited by Christmas," said Mr Foster.

Last month, Mr Musgrove blamed the social services for failing to deal with 33 "bed blockers" who were occupying acute beds while waiting to be moved out of hospital.

"I don't like the term 'bed blockers', but I understand progress has been made in reducing their numbers," added Mr Foster.