PATIENTS say they have had to use the stairs at Kidderminster Hospital on numerous occasions this year due to lifts being out of order.

Regular users of the Bewdley Road hospital say the two main elevators have been broken on and off since Christmas.

Pauline Hart, who took her 89-year-old neighbour for a hip x-ray on Wednesday (February 20), told The Shuttle: "She can hardly walk and we had to struggle up the stairs.

"We nearly fell down I don't know how many times.

"There other lifts up past the other entrance but if someone can't walk it's too far for them.

"If you've had an operation you rely on those lifts to get back down. It's enough stress as it is without walking around trying to find your way out."

Regular patient Simon Chandler, who attends dialysis at Kidderminster Hospital three times a week, added: "They've been broken on and off all year. The first went before Christmas and the second one a short time after.

"There's a sign on the lift saying go to reception for direction to the nearest working lift, but a lot of people turn up at 6.30 in the morning before there's anyone on reception."

The hospital's trust said it was looking at upgrading the lifts to make them more reliable.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We apologise if any patient or visitor has had problems accessing the lifts in the main entrance area at Kidderminster Hospital & Treatment Centre.

"Our estates team and contractors have been working hard to fix the intermittent problems with some of these lifts, as well as looking into upgrading parts to improve their reliability.

“There are a number of alternative lifts available within a very short walk of this area, and if any patient or visitor has a problem with mobility they can ask for a hospital porter to help them reach their destination.”