ELDERLY patients could be housed in portable huts being installed on the roof of Fairfield Hospital.

Up to 18 patients may be moved into the prefabricated cabins next month.

The installation of the structure -- previously used by the Army as a medical centre -- has been fiercely criticised by staff at the Rochdale Old Road complex in Bury.

One senior nurse said: "It is a farce.

"To care for elderly and vulnerable patients in a portable cabin on a hospital roof is an unbelievable state of affairs.

"I don't know how they expect to staff these extra wards. We are stretched to the limit already."

The last portable building was lifted into place on Friday.

But hospital bosses say it is a "positive step" to cope with any winter pressure on beds.

They deny suggestions there has been any miscalculation in the number of wards being transferred from Bury General Hospital.

Philip Bacon, chief executive of Bury Health Care NHS Trust, said: "This is a pro-active and interim arrangement to avoid problems this winter.

"It is one of a package of measures designed to help patients until late winter or early spring."

The prefabricated units are situated on the roof adjacent to the hospital's day case unit.

Mr Bacon said the cabins would be equipped like a normal ward, complete with heating.

He insisted that more permanent measures would be put in place next year once the local health authority -- in line with similar bodies across the country -- had assessed how many extra beds were needed.

The controversial measure comes just days after the hospital was awarded a two-star ranking in the first NHS performance tables -- the top grading is three. It is under scrutiny from the Commission for Health Improvement which is assessing facilities.

Fairfield is the borough's main hospital following the closure of Bury General last month.