A SMALL North hospital has been rated as among the best in the country when it comes to dealing with strokes.

Figures released by the Royal College of Physicians and the Healthcare Commission show that the Rutson Rehabilitation Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, compares favourably with some of the largest teaching hospitals in the country.

The Rutson is run by Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), and the figures are contained in the National Sentinel Audit for Stroke 2004.

The Rutson is a small rehabilitation hospital in the High Street, with 27 beds for stroke patients who have been discharged from more acute hospital care.

Twelve indicators were examined in the audit, most of which showed high scores for the hospital.

The PCT's head of healthcare governance, Paddy Pearce, said: "We are very pleased with the results, which show that small units with very high-quality, dedicated staff can achieve some of the highest standards across the country for the care of people who have suffered a stroke.

"This is despite being a small unit, which does not technically fulfil the Royal College of Physician's definition of a stroke unit."

Director of nursing Rose Critchley said: "These are excellent results, which are a tribute to all members of the team.

"This is a good example of the way staff from a range of clinical disciplines work together effectively in the unit, and demonstrates to people in Hambleton and Richmondshire the high levels of care patients can expect from us."