A&E departments were understaffed

Staffing levels at two Worcestershire Hospitals fell below minimum standards during the winter, the BBC has learned.

The BBC asked for staff figures at accident and emergency departments between November 2008 and January 2009 under the Freedom of Information Act.

On 49 days the Alexandra Hospital, in Redditch, had too few nurses, the figures revealed.

And at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital there were 27 nursing shifts with too few staff.

It said it was also one consultant and two senior doctors below the minimum level the trust set itself during this period.

Alexandra Hospital had 24 days in which it was one doctor below the recommended staffing levels.

Hereford Hospital said it had too few nurses on two shifts during the period but lower patient levels had meant this did not affect the trust's level of service.

The BBC asked hospitals around the West Midlands for their staffing levels from November 2008 until January 2009.