Health services get mixed ratings

NHS trusts were scored on services and how they spend their money

NHS trusts in the East Midlands have seen a wide range of results in the annual healthcare ratings.

The Healthcare Commission awarded top marks to Chesterfield Royal Hospital in both services and use of resources.

Leics County and Rutland PCT was rated "weak" in both areas, but a spokeswoman put its performance down to a recent merger and its continuing deficit.

Seven regional trusts were rated "weak" and eight got "excellent" marks in at least one of the two categories.

Budget woes

Other trusts with "excellent" ratings included Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire Partnership, University Hospitals of Leicester, Derby Hospitals, Derbyshire Mental Health, Northamptonshire Healthcare and Nottinghamshire Healthcare.

Leicestershire County PCT chief executive Catherine Griffiths said: "I am deeply disappointed with these ratings as they do not truly reflect what goes on in the service on a day to day basis."

Weak NHS trusts United Lincolnshire - resources Nottm University - resources Leicester City PCT - services Leics County & Rutland - both Lincs PCT - resources Northants PCT - resources Notts County PCT- resources

University Hospitals of Leicester trust got top marks for services, and was rated "good" for use of resources. The recently merged Nottingham hospitals trust was rated good in services but weak in managing resources.

Kevin Orford of NHS East Midlands said all trusts rated "weak" are developing action plans to tackle their problems.

Derby's hospitals performed worse than last year with a fair rating, partly because not enough patients were seen in a dedicated stroke unit. It scored an excellent in the second category.

Nottingham City PCT was the highest rated PCT with "good" scores in both categories, while Derbyshire Mental Health Services Trust had an excellent service score and good in budgets.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals, which has struggled with budget problems, was weak in that category but fair in services, while the East Midlands Ambulance Service was rated good in service and fair in resources.

The ratings included excellent, good, fair and poor in the two categories and were handed out to all NHS trusts in England and Wales.