THE man who has the task of raising standards at the Royal Bolton Hospital has been honoured by the Queen.

Chief executive of the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust David Fillingham has been awarded a CBE for his services to the National Health Service.

The award stems from his three-and-a-half years as chief of the Modernisation Agency, based at Whitehall.

It also recognises the work Mr Fillingham has done as chief executive at the North Staffordshire NHS Trust.

He will collect his award at Buckingham Palace later this year with his wife Janet and children Sarah, aged 20, and 17-year-old Anna.

Today, Mr Fillingham said the award was for everyone who has worked hard in the NHS.

He said: This is in recognition for all the people who worked with me in the Modernisation Agency and for all those who have worked for years in the NHS.

Tremendous improvements have been made in the NHS during the last few years and there is a lot of good work going on, so it is encouraging that it has been recognised.

It was a real surprise when the letter came through but it didnt confirm that I had the award.

It just said I was being considered and would I accept it if they offered it me. My family are all quite shocked. Im certainly the first Fillingham to pick up an award like this!

It should be a lovely occasion for the family later in the year.

From St Helens, Mr Fillingham arrived in Bolton in September, undeterred by the fact that the Royal Bolton Hospital had just been reduced from a two-star to a one-star hospital.

It was downgraded because of failing accident and emergency waiting times and, after an investigation by the Audit Commission, it was revealed that waiting lists for minor operations had been changed in an attempt to meet Government targets.

Already, accident and emergency waiting times have improved.

Last month, 96.1 per cent of patients were seen within four hours of arriving at the department.

The target is 97 per cent and was met in the three months prior to November.

Cllr Margaret Clare, chairman of the health, overview and scrutiny committee at Bolton Council, said: Im delighted for David and would like to congratulate him on behalf of the committee.

If anyone can iron out problems at the hospital, it is him.