Local Hospitals Move up a Grade

1.01.25pm GMT Wed 16th Jul 2003

In the latest assessment of hospital performance the West Middlesex, which had previously been classified as giving "cause for concern", is now regarded as 'average', as are Kingston, Hammersmith and Ealing.

The West Middlesex, which had earlier been slated on inspections as a dirty hospital, is now classified as 'above average' in infection control; but it is "significantly below average" for deaths within 30 days of surgery and "below average" for breast cancer treatment.

Kingston is "below average" for infection control. Both West Middlesex and Kingston meet expected levels of performance for A&E waits and operations cancelled.

MP Vincent Cable said that "the improvements at the West Middlesex are very welcome and coincide with the morale-boosting move to the new buildings. I hope that the bad reputation which the hospital used to enjoy will now be a thing of the past and it will in future be a place which residents and staff are proud of".

"I am however worried about the arbitrariness and meaningfulness of some of the targets and performance measurement. For example, Hammersmith is credited with a top "five star" rating in respect of breast cancer treatment but it has just confirmed to me in writing that patients are being required to wait three to four months for radiography when the

official guidelines for safe treated are only one month."

"The ratings seem to be only tenuously related to the quality of care received".