Praise for staff despite decline in star rating (From Warrington Guardian)

Praise for staff despite decline in star rating

THE chief Executive of Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust has praised the dedication of hard-working staff - despite the service failing to retain its 2004 two-star status.

Simon Yates said the Trust - responsible for the Victoria Infirmary in Northwich and Crewe's Leighton Hospital - managed to meet six of the eight performance targets and was disappointed to be awarded one star by the latest Healthcare Commission survey.

He added: "The rating does not reflect the tremendous work undertaken by our staff across every area of the Trust in the past year to raise standards of care, or the fact we only missed two targets by a fraction."

The Trust missed targets for four-hour waits in A&E, following a breach in the last quarter of 2004, but 98 per cent of patients have been seen within this time constraint in the last three months.

The number of patients waiting more than nine months for surgery is also currently at its lowest rate.

Simon said: "It is important to note we missed that target by the tiniest of fractions. This was because of a nine per cent rise in emergency surgical admissions last year, and a delay in implementing a new contract with the independent sector for orthopaedic procedures.

"Our new £12.5 million treatment centre is on schedule to open in October and we anticipate this will lead to a marked reduction in waiting times across a range of specialities."

This is the final year for the star-rating system. From 2006 a health check survey, involving self-assessment and spot inspections, will replace the existing system.