Report shows improvement at trust

The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trusts score has improved

An independent body has found financial performance at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust has improved over the past year.

It comes as concerns about the work of chief executive John Watkinson in a previous job have prompted a review.

The Audit Commission report shows that in 2007, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust's financial performance was rated as "inadequate" - a score of one.

But in 2008, that score went up to two so it is now classified as adequate.

That is the minimum requirement.

Despite this, the financial management at the trust is under review after it was revealed Bromley NHS Trust, where Mr Watkinson worked before, is in huge debt.

More than 200 senior doctors have pledged their support for John Watkinson, praising his work in Cornwall.

The Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust and the South Western Ambulance Trust's scores have gone up and they are both "performing well" - while the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT - the commissioner of services - remains "adequate".