THREE top health specialists are leading the way in the NHS with innovative schemes -- based at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

A major report by health watchdogs has held up the Bolton-based health specialists as an excellent example of what the NHS should be doing nationally.

The Commission for Health Improvement, an independent body which inspects the NHS nationally, first highlighted the role of Suzanne Lomax, a highly experienced nurse who is the Trust's stroke co-ordinator.

Not only does she support the care of patients at the Royal Bolton Hospital's Stroke Unit, but she also gives her specialist advice to staff on other wards who look after patients who have had a stroke.

Last year 833 people were admitted to the hospital for treatment after suffering a stroke.

Suzanne aims to personally see every stroke patient referred within one to three working days.

Her duties include providing advice to therapy staff with the intention of preventing a second stroke.

She also liaises with the family support worker for strokes and she is involved in the stroke support group, which provides help for victims and their carers.

Suzanne said: "I aim to see that stroke patients admitted to hospital are given high standards of care and relevant information. I also aim to see that any feedback is taken on board and incorporated to improve care."

Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust was also highly commended for becoming the first in the country to have a nurse consultant specialising in diabetes when it appointed Jane Pennington to the role.

She works across the trust developing guidelines for diabetes care and running a diabetes learning programme for ward staff.

And finally, the multi-faith chaplaincy team at the trust was the third service which CHI highlighted as good practice.

Led by the Rev Neil Gray, chaplains give spiritual and pastoral support to patients, carers and staff.

Once again the Bolton trust was one of the first in the country to have not only a chapel, but separate prayer rooms for Muslims and Hindus.