One of the bottom three hospitals in an audit of surgery waiting times for elderly patients with broken legs is Derriford Hospital.

The Royal College of Surgeons conveyed that Plymouth hospital received only 57 percent of the 426 patients in their 70s, 80s and 90s through surgery within a span of 48 hours.

The yearly audit of hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland covered April 2009 to March 2010. The Derriford hospital said that there had been a marked improvement since the audit.

“Between April and June 2010, 77% of our patients with hip fractures received their operation within 48 hours. This is a marked improvement on last year. In July and August 2010, 84% and 85% of patients received their surgery within 48 hours,” said a Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson.

He continued, “We have increased the number of staff dedicated to the care of patients with hip fractures, which includes consultants and specialised physiotherapists.”

A consultant geriatrician, Colin Currie helped in compiling the data and said that there was no excuse for the poor care being taken in some hospitals.