THREE local hospitals have high death rates for hip fractures, according to a nationwide survey published today.

The Royal Bolton Hospital is placed above average for death rates among patients suffering hip fractures.

However, Wigan and Leigh Infirmary has the worst record in the country, far above Bolton.

And Fairfield Hospital, Bury, also has higher death rates than Bolton.

Bolton's score, calculated by the Imperial College, is 117 -- 17 above an average of 100 -- or a death rate of 16.7 per cent this year.

Wigan and Leigh Infirmary, scored the worst rating in the country with 166 points -- 66 above the average with 17.3 per cent.

Bury Healthcare Trust fared better, but still worse than Bolton, with a score of 126 and 14.8 per cent.

Chief executive of the Bolton Hospital's NHS Trust, John Brunt, told Trust board members: "We will be studying the results and seeing if there are lessons to be learnt."