HOSPITAL bosses were buoyed by the results of a patient survey but resolved to do more to improve discharge times.

The results of an inpatient survey were presented to Royal Bolton Hospital's board showing improvements by the trust compared to the year before.

Director of nursing at the trust, Trish Armstrong-Child, presented the report and said: "It did really warm my heart. We're better in 47 of 63 indicators compared to the year before.

However Ms Armstong-Child told the board patients were dissatisfied with the discharge procedure.

Allan Duckworth, a non-executive director on the board, said: "The main reason for delays in discharge was patients having to wait for medication to take home."

A comment highlighted in the report says: "The wait for prescriptions has always been a problem and yet no one has the common sent [sic] to sort this out."

Another called the aftercare "non-existent".

Other patients highlighted noisy wards as problems at the hospital and complained about the food.

Elsewhere the board was pleased with the feedback from patients which included one saying: "My whole care in hospital was excellent. I have no grumbles at all about my treatment, it was first class."

Another said: "All staff were brilliant, including cleaners. It was a pleasant stay in hospital."

Jackie Bene, chief executive of the trust told the board work was being done to improve the discharge times including having pharmacists work more closely with junior doctors to ensure patients could be given their medication sooner.