HOSPITAL bosses in Worcestershire have announced a series of measures to deal with the raft of issues facing the county’s health service.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has faced a series of setbacks over recent months, including “unprecedented” pressure over the winter, an ever-deepening financial deficit and allegations of bullying.

And earlier this month the organisation – which runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital and Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital – was rocked after five of its emergency consultants resigned at the same time.

In a statement issued this afternoon the organisation’s chairman Harry Turner said he and his colleagues were putting a number of measures to cope with the pressures.

“Over the last couple of weeks there has been much speculation on a number of issues within the trust,” he said. “I am today announcing a number of actions which are being put in place so that my board colleagues and I can be absolutely confident where measures need to be put in place to address any areas which may be of concern.”

Mr Turner said members of the board were meeting with the five consultants – which include the entire emergency consultant team at the Alex – to discuss their reasons for resigning on Tuesday, February 24 and if any issues of concern were raised, these would be dealt with.

He added the trust was working to ensure roles were filled as soon as possible, and adverts for the vacancies had been posted.

“We are heartened by the responses and offers of support received and will be working through these as part of the overall replacement plan over coming weeks,” he said.

Mr Turner said he and his colleagues were committed to working with staff to alleviate any concerns.

“The recent allegations and speculation about our trust has understandably caused concern for our staff,” he said.

“We are committed to keeping our staff updated and engaged and a series of additional staff engagement sessions have been organised across our sites this week and over the coming months to ensure we can keep them updated with the current situation and listen to any views they may have.”

Addressing recent accusations of bullying Mr Turner said the trust took any such allegations “extremely seriously”.

“We are instigating an independent investigation which will take an in-depth look at the way all reports of bullying within the organisation are handled and investigated, which will inform any action that needs to be taken as a result,” he said. “The findings will be reported to the board as soon as possible.

Mr Turner added the trust was also looking into the possibility of “substantial enlargement” of the Royal’s A&E.

“We are confident these actions will demonstrate how seriously we are taking the events of recent weeks and enable us to put in place a plan moving forward,” he said.

“Whilst these issues have been very much in the spotlight, it is important to stress that it is very much business as usual for us as we continue to ensure the continued delivery of high quality and safe patient care for the Worcestershire population.”