MORE patients die in hospitals in East Lancashire than most other parts of the country, a survey has found.

The area's NHS hospital trust, comprising Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Queen's Park Hospital and Burnley General Hospital, was rated in the bottom 40 nationally for its above average mortality rate.

It was also found to have less doctors per 100 beds than average and longer waiting times.

The trust was placed 17th out of the North West's 22 hospital trusts.

But staff were found to have above average satisfaction, while the hospitals were cleaner and patients' safety was rated highly.

The report's findings were published in the Sunday Times' Good Hospital Guide.

A key statistic is the mortality rate and an index score of 100 indicates that deaths are at the expected level, given the mix of patients and their conditions.

The national average for mortality was 100.8, the highest being 129 and the lowest 65. East Lancashire trust's figure was 108.

The trust has 38 doctors and 127 nurses per 100 beds, compared to a national average of 47.2 and 131.9.

Hospital cleanliness was 65 per cent compared to a 48 per cent average.

Waits for admission or an outpatient appointment were close to average.