STAFF at Poole Hospital were able to demonstrate how they cope with emergency procedures when regional health minister Hazel Blears paid them a visit.

During a tour of the Accident and Emergency department Ms Blears spoke with staff about emergency pressures.

Last year the hospital admitted more than 35,000 emergency cases and the visit enabled Ms Blears to view first hand how the hospital copes with this workload.

During her trip Ms Blears was also taken to a modernised ward which cares for acute medical patients.

Penny Jarvis, NHS Trust performance manager, said the visit went very well.

She said: "Ms Blears found it very interesting and helpful. She listened about our emergency pressures and how we are implementing the NHS Plan.

"She commented on how good our waiting times were and praised the friendly atmosphere created by the staff."