An NHS watchdog member has dubbed Oxford's casualty unit as "pure hell" days after a visit from health improvement inspectors.

Linda Watson, Oxfordshire Community Health Council's chief executive, said redevelopment work at the unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington, was causing problems.

Staff shortages and beds closures have led to long trolley waits for patients, while nurses have complained about the lack of support from managers. They threatened to take industrial action earlier this year after becoming frustrated with the constant crisis levels.

The Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust, responsible for the JR, started work on the new £10m unit in April. It is being carried out in stages to reduce disruption, and is due to be completed in 2003.

Writing in the Health Service Journal, Mrs Watson said: "It's still pure hell with the re-development going on, but staff have leadership that was lacking before."

Praising new chief nurse Julie Hartley Jones, Mrs Watson told the Oxford Mail: "We're detecting an improvement in morale despite the fact nurses are still under siege in A&E."

Her remarks followed a visit from Commission for Health Improvement reviewers, who recently launched an inspection of the hospital to pinpoint ways to better patient care. Their report is expected in October.