MPs are lobbying for extra cash to turn Worcestershire Royal Hospital's fortunes around after a 'disappointing' report.

As previously reported, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital in Worcester, has been rated 'inadequate' in a report published by regulator the Care Quality Commission on Monday.

The CQC has written to the Secretary of State for Health to recommend that the trust remain in special measures for an extra three to six months.

The trust was first placed in special measures in December 2015.

Inspections followed in November and December last year and the trust was issued with a warning notice to improve or face actions.

Issues included overcrowding, patients waiting on trolleys, poor record keeping, lack of planning around capacity, lack of privacy and ageing equipment. However, staff were rated 'good' for being caring across all three hospital sites which has been welcomed.

If a trust is placed in special measures the CQC, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority help the organisation meet patients’ needs until they can meet this challenge independently.

Worcester's MP Robin Walker says he is continuing to push for £29 million Government cash to ensure extra capacity at the hospital, writing again to health ministers.

Mr Walker stressed that the CQC report referred back to last year, rather than what had happened since under a new executive team, with Michelle McKay taking the helm in March.

He said: "I would love the trust to come out of special measures and it's disappointing it has not.

"There needs to be investment in the capacity of the hospital. That is going to be crucial to taking on some of the challenges they're facing."

Mr Walker said the CQC report demonstrated the 'urgency' of the extra funding becoming available.

Mid Worcestershire MP, Nigel Huddleston, said: “I am disappointed to hear that the CQC believes an additional three to six months of special measures in Worcestershire is necessary.

"My primary concern as an MP, however, is the wellbeing of my constituents.

"The report commented favourably on the quality of care at our local hospitals and this reflects the dedication and hard work of our local NHS staff, who continue to serve the people of Worcestershire in an exemplary manner in difficult conditions."

He hopes the new executive team can address the problems that have hindered local services for the last two years, helping the trust through what he described as a 'challenging period'.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “This latest CQC report does not come as a huge surprise and I know that the senior management at the trust were expecting a further period in special measures.

“However the report does make for disappointing reading and I hope that the new chair and chief executive will be able to make inroads into these issues very soon."

Mrs Baldwin has written this week to the Department for Health in support of a £29 million bid for funds to improve capacity at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

She said: "I hope that this successful bid will be a springboard to improved performance across the trust.”