One of the most powerful men in the Department of Health is to visit Leicester to see for himself the state of the city's hospitals.

Alan Dooran, who is Director of Operations for the NHS and number two to Health Secretary Alan Milburn, has been invited by the Leicester East MP Keith Vaz.

Earlier this week the three Leicester hospitals, the Infirmary, the General and Glenfield hit their worst bed shortage for two years.

The hospitals have been dogged by bed shortages especially in accident and emergency .

They are pleased they are going to have this kind of attention Leicester East MP Keith Vaz

Mr Vaz has already said the situation is unacceptable and met senior managers at the Royal Infirmary on Friday.

He said, following the talks, he has a better understanding of what's being done to improve services.

And he felt senior managers at the Leicester Royal Infirmary welcome the chance to show Mr Dooran the problems they face.

Mr Vaz said: "They are pleased they are going to have this kind of attention.

"They want to do what I want to do and that is get over the problems that exist in the Infirmary and move on so we can have the best hospitals in the nation."