FEWER people are complaining about their treatment at Worcestershire's psychiatric hospitals, it has been revealed.

Between last April and this March, Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust received 45 complaints - 12 less than the 57 made in the 2002 to 2003 financial year.

And the trust is responding to complaints at a speedier rate, with 75.6 per cent of them being answered within 20 working days compared to a 57.9 per cent response rate last year.

"The trust has worked hard to improve its services over the last year and this has been reflected in the lower number of complaints," said Marion Smith, spokeswoman for the organisation.

"The trust has also set up a robust system for responding to complainants and this has been reflected in the faster response time."

She said the Patient Advice and Liaison Service has also had a positive effect on reducing the number of complaints the trust receives, helping patients, relatives and carers to obtain prompt, on-the-spot help.

"However, the trust does welcome complaints as this highlights where a problem is occurring and via the complaints procedure the problems can be investigated and resolved," she added.

The news comes as a report has also revealed the trust has the lowest staff turnover out of 23 of the health bodies run by West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority.

"The trust has been working on a number of fronts to improve both the recruitment and retention of staff," said Ms Smith.

She said the recent recruitment drive in India, which the Evening News reported on Tuesday has led to 13 nurses being recruited, was part of the trust's overall strategy.

"The trust is extremely pleased with the latest retention figures," she added.