FOR four months, a bed has been blocked at Warrington Hospital because of a shortage of care staff.

Pensioner Jackie Tranmer was admitted to hospital after a fall. Sixteen weeks later, she is still there because a suitable care package cannot be found.

Prior to her accident, Mrs Tranmer was receiving care at her home in Appleton Thorn after she was left paralysed by a stroke six years ago.

Due to her paralysis, Mrs Tranmer, aged 66, needs full time care but, because of a shortage of agency care staff in rural areas, visits could only be made three times a day.

Mrs Tranmer's husband Paul, who has health problems himself, was attempting to lift his wife when she fell.

Now a routine hospital stay has turned into a four-month long stay as social services struggle to find an extensive care package for Mrs Tranmer.

Her daughter Melanie, who lives in London, said: "My mum needs more than three visits a day and although the care she received from social services was good it just wasn't enough which was why my dad ended up helping her. She is blocking beds because she should only have been in hospital for a couple of weeks, maximum. It's no-one's fault but it's frustrating that there is a shortage of care just because you live in a certain area. My mum was a sister on the special care baby unit at Warrington for 40 years but now that she needs care it can't be found."

Pam Smith, head of service for social care for older people and people with a physical disability, said: "Recruiting care staff is a problem particularly in rural areas and also areas of high employment such as Warrington. We're keen to hear from anybody who is interested in pursuing a career in this field."

A hospital spokesman said: "The vast majority of patients are discharged in a timely fashion. We work closely with social services to ensure that this process runs as efficiently as possible."