BROMSGROVE’S MP says he will continue to keep the “pressure on” to ensure standards are met at the Alexandra Hospital after meeting with the county’s hospital trust chairman.

Sajid Javid met with Harry Turner, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chairman, in June to discuss the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) damning report.

The report, published in May, raised major concerns over failures in ensuring elderly patients get enough to eat and drink, and found at times doctors added "drinking water" to hospital charts.

Prior to the meeting, Mr Javid wrote to Mr Turner expressing his alarm and dissatisfaction to the report’s outcome.

He said: “This is unacceptable and a huge letdown for all my constituents, and many others throughout Worcestershire, who depend on the Alexandra’s service.”

Mr Javid said his aim at the meeting was to convey this disappointment to Mr Turner.

The MP said: “I got the impression he understands what the situation is, and seemed genuinely concerned.

“He said he would work with the commission, asking them exactly what it believes should be done, and the best practices that could be adopted.”

The meeting also discussed the replacement of John Rostill, the current chief executive of the hospital trust, who is set to stand down at the end of the month.

Mr Javid said he stressed to Mr Turner the most important thing is to get the best qualified person and not to be “afraid” to pay a good salary to secure them.

The MP also revealed his family used the hospital’s accident and emergency department in June and said he was very impressed, describing staff as “excellent”.

He said: “The commission’s report raised a specific problem.

“But it is important when staff get something right, we encourage them.”