PATIENTS say nurses and therapists are performing to a high standard despite the cash crisis in the Worcestershire NHS.

The Worcestershire Association Of Service Users carried out the survey of patients in March to find out what they felt about their local service.

The results come after a series of cuts revealed by health trusts in the county. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has announced it needs to make 720 redundancies to plug a £30m funding gap, while South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust is slashing 19 services to try and make up a £13m shortfall.

Zana Collins, who is the chief executive of the Worcestershire Association Of Service Users, said: "We invited patients to complete a questionnaire on a particular day when they visited health centres, dental access centres, physiotherapy sessions, community hospitals, or were visited at home or at the health clinics at Long Lartin prison.

"The survey day was a great success and it was such a useful exercise to get patients' opinion of the services they receive.

"For example, 96 per cent said they were treated with respect and 94 per cent were given enough time with their health professional."

June Patel, director of nursing and clinical services, said she was delighted and proud of her staff.

"The survey results were very impressive and positive, but I was not surprised, as I know we have a very professional group of nurses and therapists who are passionate about their jobs," she added.

"Of course, we can't get everything right and there were a few patients who made negative comments, but there is always room for improvement and we will prepare a detailed action plan to sort these out.

"We always welcome feedback on patient's treatment by our health professionals, either positive or negative."