AMBULANCES are having to be diverted from Worcester's crisis-hit emergency department to Redditch.

With the Worcestershire Royal still struggling ambulances are currently being told to instead go to the Alexandra Hospital A&E - just weeks after a public consultation was launched into the future of hospital services in the county which could see the Redditch A&E downgraded.

The harrowing scale of the winter crisis at Worcestershire Royal, as well as the Alex, was recently laid bare at a meeting as one NHS boss described the situation as heart-breaking.

Waits on trolleys at Worcester have already been branded 'unacceptably long' by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt who has concerns about a spike in respiratory infections and flu as more cold is predicted.

Health bosses made the decision to divert ambulances earlier today.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Worcestershire Royal and the Alex, said: “Worcestershire Royal A&E is continuing to experience pressures and high demand. As part of our normal response to help manage these pressures, some ambulances are being diverted to the Alexandra Hospital A&E.

"This helps the trust to manage demand and keep waiting times to a minimum.

“This action also demonstrates our absolute commitment to the importance and future of the A&E department at the Alexandra Hospital.”

The worrying moves comes as GP surgeries are bringing in extra doctors and nurses to help reduce visits to A&E during the winter period.

Some 600 additional appointments are now available every week at surgeries across Worcestershire.

The NHS England scheme, which started on December 23 and ends on February 28, has been funded by an underspend in the GP Access Fund.

Lynda Dando, director of primary care at the three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups, said the appointments can be booked on the day they are needed.

“The winter months can be very busy for a number of NHS services and any extra capacity that we have will help to reduce some of these pressures,” she said.

“Your GP surgery should be your first port of call for non-urgent, on-going illnesses or injuries.

“Using a GP saves time as they know your medical history and also frees up other services, including A&E for those who really need to be there.”

A South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group spokesman added: “The NHS traditionally sees a rise in demand for primary care services over the winter months and the scheme aims to reduce some of these pressures.

“This is achieved by enabling patients to book an appointment to see their GP as soon as they become ill, ensuring they don’t visit other services such as A&E.”

Worcestershire Royal's A&E recently made national headlines after two people died in hospital trolleys during the New Year period.

Primary care services include GP surgeries, dentists, and pharmacies whereas secondary services relate to specialists such as mental health professionals.