No stars for trust performance

Kettering General Hospital has retained its two-star rating

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust's performance rating this year has fallen from two stars to one of three in the country with a 'no star' status.

This is largely due to a poor review on its mental health services and had been anticipated by the county's strategic health authority.

In contrast, a marked improvement in performance of Northampton General Hospital is recognised with an extra star in this year's performance ratings tables.

The hospital has gone from a one-star to a two-star hospital.

There is considerable health community effort underway there now, with clear action plans to address the identified shortcomings Strategic health authority chief executive David Sissling

Kettering General Hospital has maintained its two-star rating over the past 12 months for its performance and the Two Shires Ambulance Service has kept its three-star rating.

This year is the first time Primary Care Trusts have been assessed and all three in the county have achieved two stars first time round.

They were all praised for their hard work in the community and facing the challenge of improving local healthcare systems.

Chief Executive of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority, David Sissling, said he welcomed the ratings for the extra insight it provided to local communities, as well as the authority.

"We have some positive results and some disappointments in this year's star ratings for NHS Trusts across our area.

"In mental health services, the fall to 'no star' status was anticipated at Northamptonshire Healthcare Trust which had a recent poor review from the government's Commission for Health Improvement (CHI).

"There is considerable health community effort under way there now, with clear action plans to address the identified shortcomings."