Many heart attack patients in Worthing are not getting the treatment they need within the time demanded by government.

The Department of Health says at least 75 per cent of heart attack patients should be given a clot-dissolving drug within 30 minutes of arriving at hospital.

About 50 per cent of patients coming into Worthing Hospital are given the drug in that time.

St Richard's Hospital in Chichester is meeting the 75 per cent target.

The Government also demands between 80 and 90 per cent of patients be given aspirin and beta blockers to cut the risk of a further heart attack. Both hospitals have met this target.

A spokesman for Worthing Hospital said: "We are looking at ways to improve our service so we can improve on the target."

The figures were revealed today in the first report of the Myocardial Infarction National Audit Project (MINAP).

Dr John Birkhead of MINAP said: "This audit represents the huge amount of work that has been undertaken by hospitals to collect data on every heart attack patient."