A SERIES of complaints about the poor treatment of frail patients at Worcestershire Royal Hospital have prompted an MP to ask the health secretary to intervene and investigate.

Sir Michael Spicer, West Worcestershire MP, has tabled a question to MP Patricia Hewitt asking if she will look into the complaints he has received and make a statement.

He has become increasingly concerned over the past few months by letters from constituents making allegations of poor care and treatment of frail patients, and fears there may be a pattern emerging.

He said: "This is the new hospital which has cost the taxpayer very large sums of money.

"It did not get off to a good start either financially or managerially.

"It would be a matter of deep concern if it were now found to be the case that the general level of care was deficient.

"I very much hope that the poor reports represent exceptional cases and that the general standards are found to be high."

A Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said: "We are in regular correspondence with Sir Michael and always try to answer any questions he has as fully and promptly as we can, so we're surprised to hear that he felt it necessary to issue this statement to the media. We receive many compliments from patients and visitors about the care we provide.

"The number of people who complain about their treatment, either directly or via their MPs, represents a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of patients who we provide care for each year.

"We would always urge anyone who has any concerns about the treatment they or their relatives are receiving to raise those concerns immediately with the ward matron, or our PALs (Patient Advice and Liaison) Officers so that they can be dealt with immediately."