AN investigation needs to find out the truth behind coding at the Royal Bolton Hospital, a councillor has said.

Cllr Andy Morgan, who sits on the Health, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said he had concerns about the Trust.

He added: “A thorough and in-depth investigation needs to be carried out immediately to establish if the improvements to the trusts mortality rates that have been reported over the past 18 months are as a result of miscoding of data rather than improvements to care.

“I have grave concerns if the allegations are proven then the Royal Bolton Hospital will have some of the worst mortality rates in the country.” Cllr Morgan also criticised the leadership at the Trust and compared it to a “rudderless ship”, with an “interim chief executive and part-time chairman”.

He added: “It is just not good enough when the hospital is in such turmoil and, if it is not sorted soon, then it is only a matter of time before the rudderless ship hits an iceberg and control is taken away.

“The bottom line is the majority of staff at the Trust are doing a magnificent job under very difficult circumstances, but morale is at rock bottom and they are crying out for leadership.

“This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency so that staff and service users alike can have faith that the board and management team and their best interests at heart and can revive the hospital’s future.”