BOSSES at Halton Hospital say their controversial decision to move emergency surgery to Warrington has been justified by improved waiting time figures.

Nursing staff campaigned against last year's move, saying that local patients deserved their own emergency admissions service and staff would lose vital skills if the hospital was effectively 'downgraded'.

But at North Cheshire Hospitals Trust's annual general meeting, figures showed that 98 per cent of A&E patients were seen within four hours, all suspected cancer patients were seen within two weeks, and 99.7 per cent of in-patients were admitted within nine months.

"This was the year when we changed the way we worked," said the Trust's chief executive Ian Dalton.

"Despite some initial opposition the move has been a great success, with patients benefiting from the certainty of having guaranteed dates for admission at Halton, with very few cancelled operations and shorter waiting times."

Mr Dalton highlighted the opening of a new £300,000 endoscopy suite - where tiny hi-tech cameras are used for internal examinations - and the development of Halton Hospital as a centre of excellence for planned surgery.

Director of Finance John Doyle said that £6m was earmarked to be shared between Halton and Warrington for ward refurbishment and new equipment and facilities.

He added that the investment behind the improvements had not come at the expense of overspending but warned: "We continue to face a real challenge to deliver the level of services while continuing to meet our financial targets."

Trust chairman Allan Massey praised staff for their 'dedication and expertise' while Mr Dalton, chief executive for the past two years, vowed to carry on improving health care in Halton.