HOSPITAL services in Bury were given the thumbs up in a survey carried out by health watchdogs.

Earlier this year Bury Community Health Council (CHC) carried out a patient satisfaction survey on wards at Bury General Hospital and Fairfield General Hospital.

The questionnaire filled in by patients when they were discharged from hospital was designed by experts at Manchester University. The last time the CHC conducted a similar survey was in 1986.

Questions ranging from information patients received before being admitted to hospital to conditions and treatment during their stay were asked.

Nearly 60 per cent of patients questioned said they were satisfied with the ward and found it to be bright and cheerful. This compared with only 38 per cent in 1986.

Nearly 80 per cent found that bedtimes were flexible compared with 57 per cent in 1986. Seventy four per cent of patients said the noise levels never disturbed them during their stay in hospital and no one found the noise to be a continual nuisance. Six per cent of patients complained in 1986 that the noise levels continually disturbed them. More than 38 per cent said there were more than enough toilets compared with only eight per cent in 1986. And more than 25 per cent of patients said they found that the hospitals provided more than enough bathrooms compared with only six per cent in 1986.

The only aspect of hospital life the majority of patients were unhappy with was the catering.

Just 30.7 per cent said the hospitals provided a good choice of food compared with 45 per cent in 1986.

The patients questioned were very complimentary about the nursing staff and commented on the hard work and effort the nurses put in.

But many expressed concern about what they felt was a shortage of nurses.

Mr Paul Reynolds, Bury CHC chief officer, said: "We were pleased with the results which suggest things have improved in the last 13 years.

"But the CHC has been concerned about a shortage of nurses and this issue needs to be addressed urgently."

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