PATIENTS at Winchester's main hospital have a high opinion of the care they receive.

The local healthcare trust has performed well in two national surveys published by the independent health watchdog, the Healthcare Commission.

Patients at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital are happy they are being treated with privacy, respect and dignity.

The trust has been achieving some of the highest scores among the best performing 20 per cent of the 169 acute trusts with an outpatients department and 153 with an emergency department.

Kay Riley, nursing director, said: "Asking patients what they think about the care and treatment that they received is important to help improve the services we provide. Staff work hard to ensure all patients receive a high level of care and these reports reflect this."

The survey showed that patients were satisfied with their visit to the emergency department and appointments in outpatients. They rated their care as "very good".

Patients felt they had enough time and privacy to discuss their problem with the doctor or nurse and said that their condition and treatment was clearly explained. Patients noted that they were informed how long they had to wait to be examined. Staff tell them their estimated wait on arrival and there is also a board in the emergency department showing waiting times.

The survey highlighted that the emergency department are striving to beat the government target that 98 per cent of all patients should be seen, discharged, admitted or transferred within four hours of arrival.

The outpatients department was praised because it tried not to alter or change appointments at a later date.