THE message was loud and clear: Our hospital is one of the best in the country and the public must not lose faith in it.

It came from the bosses of Blackpool Victoria Hospital after a traumatic week in which general surgeon Steven Walker was struck off for five years.

He was found guilty of serious professional misconduct by the General Medical Council following the deaths of four people and six patients being maimed under his care.

But the Vic was anxious this week to quell any public fears about its competency.

Figures released by the hospital show that more than 40 consultants perform approximately 120 operations every single day at the hospital which averages 30,000 procedures a year.

It also this year received prestigious three star status.

It has been described by the Audit Commission as being one of the most cost-effective and productive hospitals in the country and now boast the highest number of nurses ever working in the Trust.

The Vic has held a renowned charter mark for three years, now benefits from a brand new A & E unit and soon hopes to double its general surgeons to eight, raise its orthopaedic surgeons to seven and double the amount of cardiac procedures at its nationally renowned cardiac centre which has received the go-ahead to build a brand £30m purpose built unit.

Also unveiled next week will be the plans for a new eight-bed high dependency unit in the former ICU.

Chief executive of Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust David Gill said: "The number one priority of our 3,000 plus staff is the safety and well-being of our patients at all times.

"The last adverse incident at this hospital was in 1998. Since that time we have developed systems to fully monitor doctors and nurses and we don't expect general surgeons to turn their hand to any procedure.

"Part of the reason we are increasing the number of surgeons is so that there is room for sub-specialisation.

"At the time of the Steven Walker incidents it was difficult to prove whether the incidents were just a run of bad luck or cause for concern.

"And if we had removed him then from surgery would we be depriving the community needlessly of another surgeon?

"Mr Walker was attempting life-saving operations that nobody else would have attempted. His other behaviour of refreshments breaks, inappropriate use of mobile phones and inappropriate communication with relatives went hand in hand with that. He couldn't see a problem with his behaviour and still doesn't.

"If we had stopped that man any sooner he would have been sent off for retraining and then could have been back in the hospital performing more operations.

"We needed to investigate fully before we could pass the matter on to the General Medical Council which to us was the ONLY option.

"Other hospitals have been known to give such surgeons excellent references and then ship them out to another hospital to get rid of them.

"Blackpool Victoria was not going to let that happen. It had to stop here.

"And despite the current cost of the investigations standing at £350,000 it is our obligation to sort this out and that is the cost of protecting the public.

"The investigation by the GMC has taken so long because there were so many intricate details to cover.

"As for the possibility of criminal charges being brought for manslaughter, I don't think that will be the case."

Mr Gill concluded: "As for the future Mr Walker can apply to practise again after five years but there is no way he would come back here."