The Healthcare Commission quizzed thousands of patients about their stays in hospitals in the national survey.

But the study highlighted variations in care, as well as the fact patients were still placed in mixed wards despite a Government pledge to eradicate the practice in non emergency care.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust received the best marks for patient satisfaction in the area, with 49 per cent saying the care they received was excellent.

The trust looks after Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

It was closely followed by Royal West Sussex NHS Trust, which manages St Richard's Hospital in Chichester.

In total, 45 per cent gave care the top rating of excellent.

Next up was Worthing Hospital with 36 per cent, followed by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, which is in charge of East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, with 32 per cent.

Overall satisfaction was high with the majority of people describing care as very good, good or fair.

These figures compared with a national average of 42 per cent.

The best performing trust scored 77 per cent, but the worst produced only 24 per cent.

Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said: "The Government has made absolutely plain that it wants the NHS to listen to the views of patients and respond to their concerns.

"That is why this survey is so important.

"It gives the most comprehensive picture available of how patients feel about NHS hospitals.

"And importantly, it allows comparisons between trusts across the country.

"Overall, it's encouraging that a steadily increasing percentage of patients say care is excellent."

Ms Walker added it was good to see there had been advances on issues such as the quality of food, waiting times, and team working between doctors and nurses.

But the survey also showed some hospitals were struggling to deliver on some of the basics of hospital care.

There were striking variations in performance within key areas such as providing single-sex accommodation and giving people help when they needed it.

Ms Walker continued: "Those performing poorly must learn from those who perform well.

'It's crucial that trusts take this information on board.

"The patient voice must be heard loudly on the boards of trusts across the country.

"Our annual assessment takes account of patients' views to ensure this occurs."

Many people responding to the survey of Sussex hospitals said they were placed in a mixed ward during their stay.

However, cleanliness was praised with all trusts scoring highly in this crucial area.

The survey, coordinated for the Commission by the Picker Institute, considered responses from just under 76,000 recent adult inpatients at 165 hospital trusts in England.

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