PATIENTS in Airedale who have suffered a heart attack are not getting treatment within the recommended time, according to a new report.

The report raises concerns that the Airedale NHS Trust is not administering the necessary treatment to patients who have suffered a heart attack within the national standard time of 30 minutes.

While the trust has developed a plan to improve the service, it has not yet been implemented.

And the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) recommends that the trust uses existing manpower and resources to turn around the situation as soon as possible.

However, the CHI says that a training programme run for new doctors at Airedale Hospital is a model that the rest of the NHS should follow, according to a new report.

The CHI has praised Airedale NHS Trust's induction programme for junior doctors in paediatrics.

Consultant doctors cover the new doctors' hours so they can attend a comprehensive programme.

The report by the CHI, which it has drawn up following a routine assessment of the Steeton hospital, praises staff who "work hard to provide a good atmosphere at the trust and are friendly and caring to patients".

The effectiveness of the trust's new risk management strategy is also commended.

Airedale's chief executive Robert Allen said: "The report contains much praise for the services provided for our patients and is a credit to all of our staff, who are described in the report as friendly and caring.

"The report also confirms that the trust's mortality rates are significantly better than the English average.

"The trust has worked with the commission for the past six months and acknowledges that there are areas that require action."

CHI chief executive Dr Peter Homa said: "CHI exists to promote quality improvement throughout the NHS so that patients receive the care and treatment they need and deserve.

"The report identifies the strengths and weaknesses at Airedale NHS Trust, and the trust is already working on an action plan to tackle the areas of concern. The implementation of this plan should result in improvements in care for patients."

The report also states that staff education and training is well supported by the trust, but it needs to develop an education strategy as training is often based around personal interests rather than organisational need.

While it is praised for including parents on interview panels for staff in the paediatric department, it says there is not enough public involvement in service development.

The CHI report follows a newspaper survey that rates Airedale as one of the top hospitals in Britain.

Airedale ranked among the top 16 hospitals in Britain and was awarded eight out of ten stars in the Mail on Sunday's Good Hospital Guide.

The report praised Airedale's low overall mortality rate and the fact that 100 per cent of patients admitted to the accident and emergency department were dealt with within the recommended four hours.