NINETY-FIVE per cent of patients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital rated their care highly enough to recommend to others.

The findings, part of a nationwide survey throughout the UK, have delighted hospital bosses.

The hospital trust sent questionnaires to 850 recently discharged patients asking about their care, treatment, hospital food, cleanliness, waiting times and privacy during their stay.

Out of 515 replies, 93 per cent rated their overall care as excellent, very good or good. Only six per cent said that their care was fair and one per cent deemed it poor.

The hospital scored highly in a number of areas.

Nearly 96 per cent of patients said they felt they were treated with respect and dignity, 93 per cent felt their scheduled tests were performed on time and 95 per ent said if they needed to ask important questions of a doctor they received answers they could understand.

The quality of hospital food and standards of cleanliness were also praised.

Ninety-five per cent said the food was very good, good or fair and 90 percent said that the toilets and bathrooms were clean or fairly clean.

Fifty-eight per cent were admitted as emergencies and 42 per cent of admissions had been planned.

The Accident and Emergency or Medical Admission Unit also came in for praise with 96 per cent saying that care received and admission process were organised.

However, they were some areas of concern.

Nearly 45 per cent of patients said they would like to have had more say in decision about their care and treatment and almost 50 per cent said they were disturbed by noise at night, mainly from other patients.

Mandie Sunderland, Director of Nursing and Quality for Blackpool, said: "We were pleased with the results of the survey which showed that the dedication and hard work carried out by staff is appreciated.

"The survey also highlighted some areas which need to be improved and we will be drawing up an action plan to address these issues."