PATIENTS have rated East Lancashire's five hospitals as the best in the area.

That is according to new data from the NHS Friends and Family Test survey.

In the 12 months to July 2018, 98 per cent of inpatients recommended the treatment and care they received at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust.

This is the highest rating of any NHS trust in Lancashire and South Cumbria and among the best in England.

East Lancashire Hospital Trust's ratings were the opinion of 28,364 people who stayed in hospital for at least one night between August 2017 and July 2018.

Trust chief executive Kevin McGee said: "It is excellent news to know that our inpatients really value the quality of care we provide as being among the very best in the country.

“Delivering high quality care at the right time and in the right place depends upon the skill and commitment of our staff, as well as our ability to listen to – and learn from – patient feedback, including the NHS Friends and Family Test.

“In recent years, we’ve improved the hospital environment for inpatients by investing significantly in new facilities, the latest medical equipment and high quality staff.

"The result: a better experience for our patients and a better working environment for our staff.”