A HOSPITAL chief has sent a letter of apology to a Radcliffe mother who complained about the standard of cleanliness at the Royal Bolton Hospital's maternity unit.

Stacy Hart (25), of Elm Avenue, was so disgusted by the dirty conditions of the patients' toilets, she discharged herself from the hospital.

She then gave birth to her daughter Faith, who is now seven months old, at North Manchester General Hospital.

Miss Hart said of her stay at the Bolton hospital: "Every time I went into the toilet, it seemed to get worse.

"There were wet and used tissues all over the floor and there was blood around the sink, which remained there until I left."

Chief executive of the hospital, David Fillingham, said he was sorry the standard of cleanliness was not up to her expectations.

He wrote: "With regard to the standard of cleanliness, the bathrooms have a cleaning specification whereby they are thoroughly cleaned twice a day.

"Inbetween times, ward staff are expected to ensure the bathrooms are maintained to an acceptable standard of cleanliness. I am sorry that this was not your experience. Since your complaint, the head of midwifery and nursing advises me that she has inspected the bathrooms and corridors herself and found the standard and cleanliness to be acceptable."

Eleven housekeepers now have responsibility for ensuring the ward is kept clean.