A CONTROVERSIAL divert which sees patients in Kidderminster sent to Redditch's Alexandra hospital - not the Worcestershire Royal - is set to continue.

The move, which was met with condemnation and concern from campaign groups, was supposed to last just one week but there is no sign of it ending.

It is an attempt to reduce the overcrowding crisis at the Worcester hospital.

But with a number of services recently transferred from Redditch to Worcester there are fears how the Alexandra Hospital will cope.

Hospital bosses have said "additional resources" will be available at the hospital but have not gone into any detail.

A spokesman on behalf of the three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), said: "NHS Improvement, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and West Midlands Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust are currently undertaking a pilot where they have revised the protocol for ambulance borders and conveyances.

"For a short period of time patients from some postcodes in Kidderminster will be conveyed on a planned basis to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

"It is quite common place already that the ambulance service and the trust work to vary demand between the two sites when under pressure.

"This is unfortunately often done in an unplanned and reactive way and the pilot is to assess whether a more planned, proactive approach can make a positive difference.

"This only affects 999 calls and doesn’t impact on GP admissions. The impact will be monitored over the next few weeks."

They were unable to say when and if the move will come to an end.

It was originally agreed that the move would run for just one week, starting from June 18.

Speaking previously a spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We welcome this pilot because we believe it will help us treat patients in need of urgent care more quickly, reduce waiting times and balance demand across our two Emergency Departments more effectively.

“We have been closely involved in discussions around the border change and we think it will benefit patients from across Worcestershire.

"It will also help our ambulance colleagues and other health partners because it should reduce our need to use short notice deflects from one site to another."

They added: "This is part of our ongoing efforts to reduce waiting times, manage patient flow more effectively and change the way we work to deal with continuing high levels of demand of our urgent care services.”

Our NHS Worcestershire said the move will lead to more pressure on the Alex, more pressure on the ambulance service and hospital Staff, and patients.

Politicians have also been quick to slam the divert with Liberal Democrat Councillor for Kidderminster and Worcestershire County Councillor Fran Oborski calling it a "horrendous decision".