REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean joined her fellow Worcestershire MPs in officially opening the brand-new link bridge and ward at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Thanks to the lobbying efforts of Mrs Maclean and her colleagues, £3million was secured from the £29.6million Acute Services Review funding for the link bridge and ward refurbishment which aims to improve patient flow and increase capacity.

And last Friday (January 25), the new bridge was officially opened by the Worcestershire MPs.

The bridge provides access between the main Worcestershire Royal building and the new 28-bed Avon 5 ward.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has said this increase in capacity is already helping their staff to cope with Winter pressures.

Mrs Maclean said: “It was great to finally see the link bridge completed and the new ward open and in full use. We’re now seeing tangible improvements in the hospital’s ability to improve patient flow and increase capacity.

“During my visit to the ward I spoke to the ward matron who told me the increase in bed capacity is already making a difference to the unacceptable ambulance waits.

Last week the MP also met with the new chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Matthew Hopkins, to discuss the Alexandra Hospital.

She added: “Matthew made it clear to me that the Alex has a bright future ahead of it and he intends to make full use of the hospital.

“However, we need the trust to submit its full business case as soon as possible so it can access the funding promised for the Alex.

"In total, £8million will be spent on the Alex which will pay for improvements to the elective care centre, endoscopy, children’s outpatients and an upgrade in theatres. The money is there waiting to be used. The trust needs to get on, submit their business case and get this money invested in our town’s hospital.”