A SMALL North Yorkshire hospital has been rated as among the best in the country for the treatment of strokes.

Figures released by the Royal College of Physicians and the Healthcare Commission show that the Rutson Rehabilitation Hospital in Northallerton compares favourably with some of the largest teaching hospitals in the country.

The Rutson is run by the Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust and the figures are contained in the National Sentinel Audit for Stroke 2004.

It is a small rehabilitation hospital in the town's High Street, with 27 beds available for stroke patients who have been discharged from more acute hospital care.

A total of 12 indicators were chosen in the audit, most of which showed very high scores for the Rutson Hospital. The trust's head of healthcare governance Paddy Pearce said: "We are very pleased with the results, which show that small units with very high quality, dedicated staff can achieve some of the highest standards across the country for the care of people who have suffered a stroke.

"This is despite being a small unit which does not technically fulfil the Royal College of Physician's definition of a stroke unit."

Director of nursing Rose Critchley added: "These are excellent results which are a tribute to all members of the team.

"This is a good example of the way staff from a range of clinical disciplines work together effectively in the unit, and demonstrates to people in Hambleton and Richmondshire the high levels of care patients can expect from us."