HOUSEKEEPERS are providing extra pairs of hands for nurses on two wards at Blackpool's Victoria Hospital under a new government pilot scheme.

The new members of staff have been drafted in under a Department of Health pilot scheme in response to what patients have asked for.

The housekeepers are responsible for making sure the wards are clean and tidy and helping patients with non-clinical needs, such as reading letters and cards and filling out menu forms. The project forms part of the government's nationwide NHS Plan, a hospital spokeswoman said.

At the Vic, it is being piloted on ward 20, a stroke ward, and ward 34, a surgical ward, she added. The scheme is expected to be introduced at half of all hospitals by 2004.

As well as liaising with the hospital's laundry department and ensuring there is enough linen on the wards, housekeepers will also provide meals, and help patients for example by cutting up food.

Gillian Wood, the Vic's housekeeping project manager, said: "It's about getting back to basics and making a real difference to patient care. By housekeepers doing things with the patients such as helping them to fill in menus or reading cards and letters to them, it means that the nursing staff have more time to concentrate on nursing patients.

"The feedback that we have had so far from both staff and patients has been extremely positive."

The success of the scheme will be measured at the end of the pilot scheme in June.