The Healthcare Commission has published the annual star ratings of performance for NHS Trusts in England. Overall the ratings show an improvement in the performance of the NHS against tougher waiting time targets for outpatient appointments and operations, as well as lower death rates for cancer and heart disease.
Mixed results for final star ratings
But almost a quarter of all Trusts, including a third of Acute Trusts, failed to achieve financial balance for the year.
This year the Commission assessed performance in relation to MRSA including rates of infection, levels of improvement, and use of alcohol gel for cleansing hands. Twenty-eight Trusts achieved above average performance scores while 21 achieved below average scores. The number of MRSA bacteraemia cases in hospital fell from 7,684 in 2003/2004 to 7,215 in 2004/2005.
This is the final year that the Commission will rate performance using the current star ratings system. Next year the inspectorate will rate Trusts by reference to its new annual health check, which aims to give a more comprehensive picture of NHS performance.