HEALTH bosses have called for an independent review of security at a hospital where a sex offender escaped.

Michael Murphy, 52, from Burnage, Manchester, remains on the run following his disappearance from Prestwich Hospital at around 2pm on Thursday.

Murphy was convicted of manslaughter more than 20 years ago and an offence of rape in 1994. He was sectioned indefinitely under the Mental Health Act in 1994.

The alarm was raised when Murphy feigned illness and absconded.

Mike Farrar, chief executive of NHS North West said: "It is important that the public has confidence in safety and security at the hospital."