PATIENTS are being seen quicker in emergencies at four local hospitals, new figures suggest.

Earlier this year, health bosses expressed concern that a key target was being missed for A&E admission, but performance is improving.

Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust, which runs Fairfield, North Manchester and Royal Oldham Hospitals and Rochdale Infirmary, and its performance is routinely monitored by NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

A&E departments are expected to treat 95 per cent of patients within four hours.

Across the four hospitals, the figure was 79.1 per cent in January and 78.9 per cent in February.

In his latest report published last week, the CCG's chief officer Stuart North said: "It has been reported in previous months that the trust struggled with its A&E performance over the winter months, with performance in the last three months being 80 per cent.

"It is really a reflection of how the urgent and emergency social care system is operating locality.

"I am pleased to report that performance improved in April to around 85 per cent and, so far, in May this improvement is being sustained.

"However, further work is being undertaken by all parties to improve the situation further."

Mr North told The Bury Times he believes the improvement is due to a change in management at the trust, as Sir David Dalton became chief executive and Jim Potter became chairman in March, and also due to a focus among all levels of the trust's workforce to bring about change.

"It is encouraging to see the progress and I am confident that measures have been put in place so that improvement can continue,” added Mr North.

One important aspect, said Mr North, was ensuring organisations such as housing authorities and local councils work effectively to ensure care plans are in place for people leaving hospital, helping to free up hospital beds.

The number of 12-hour trolley waits at the four hospitals also appears to be falling, said the CCG, and plans are in place to deal with the issue.

A separate CCG report said the number of people visiting the four hospitals had increased by one per cent in the last 12 months.