Crossword Genius

Very bad cut -- he wants hospital (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

severe

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'very bad' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'cut he wants hospital' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'cut' could be 'sever' (to sever is to cut or split) and 'sever' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for severe that I've seen before include "Strict, stark" , "Critical" , "Grave" , "Formal - unsmiling" , "Very bad" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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