PATIENT transport bosses have hit back at the shadow health secretary for criticising their service.

Andy Burnham claimed his constituents in Leigh had complained to him about the non-emergency patient service provided by Arriva Transport Solutions.

Mr Burnham, who was speaking at a Labour fundraiser at in Westhoughton, said: “Who gave the government permission to give our services to a bus company?”

But Arriva bosses — who provide the service for Bolton patients — say they have only received two formal complaints from Mr Burnham’s office.

Dennis Hajdukiewicz, head of Greater Manchester at Arriva Transport Solutions said: “Since we began operating the service in April, 2013, we have carried out more than 43,000 patient transport journeys for people living in Bolton and more than 21,000 journeys from Leigh.

"We have only received two complaints from Mr Burnham’s office on behalf of his constituents, both of which were addressed.

“I am concerned if Mr Burnham has received more complaints and would encourage him to pass that feedback to me so they can be investigated.”

In January, research found that almost half of Bolton patients being taken transported by Arriva were not arriving on time. Arriva says it is now hitting all targets.