A FORMER Kidderminster Mayor has praised doctors and nurses at a county hospital for helping his son despite the current pressures they face.

Stephen Aston, aged 48, was taken into Worcestershire Royal Hospital’s A&E department last Thursday (January 11) night suffering from heart palpitations.

But his father, Councillor John Aston, said the service they received from staff despite the number of other patients in the department as a result of the current increased winter demand.

They spent around five hours in A&E before Stephen was transferred to the cardiac unit. He has since been released and is recovering.

Councillor Aston said: “There were people on trolleys in the corridors and ambulances parked up outside waiting to deliver more patients. They were under intense pressure.

“But the doctors, nurses and clerical staff were magnificent. They were working flat out and rushing around but no-one can fault the wonderful job they were doing for everyone.

“We have heard a lot about the current crisis facing Worcestershire hospitals and it is clear the Government needs to invest more, not just in the NHS directly but also in social care to avoid issues such as bed blocking.

“But there is no doubting the dedication, skill and hard work of those staff working in difficult conditions.”

Michelle McKay, Chief Executive at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “I hope that Stephen continues to recover well.

“Our latest CQC report, published on Wednesday, acknowledges the improvements that we have made in urgent and emergency care, and, although we know we still have more improvements to make, it is very reassuring and always a privilege to receive and read words of thanks and praise from patients and their families.

“Kind words mean a lot to our hard working staff and I will pass on the words of thanks and praise to the team who cared for Stephen during his visit to Worcestershire Royal.”