NHS trust says low rank reflects rural 'challenge'

The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust includes Cumberland Infirmary

A hospital trust ranked among the lowest in England in newly published league tables says its position "reflects the real structural challenges we face as a rural, remote health system".

The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) came joint 130th in the table of 134 acute hospital trusts in England.

There was better news for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust which was ranked ninth in the country.

Elsewhere in the region, South Tyneside & Sunderland was 21st, one place above North Tees & Hartlepool. However South Tees, Gateshead Health and Morecambe Bay were all listed among the 80s.

This is the first time league tables rating the performance of NHS trusts in England have been published, with specialist hospitals taking the top slots.

Trusts in England will be ranked every three months, with the top performers given more power over how they spend their money.

Those lower down will be encouraged to learn from the top-ranked trusts and receive support from national officials.

Non-acute trusts and ambulances trusts have also been ranked, with the North West Ambulance Service coming first and the North East fifth out of 10.

'Better care'

A spokesperson for North Cumbria said: "NCIC's rating is disappointing, but reflects the real structural challenges we face as a rural, remote health system and supports what the new NHS 10-year plan calls for in rethinking how care is delivered across the NHS."

They said the trust, which includes Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital, has "stabilised" and was "improving" from where it was four years ago.

"The whole NCIC team share a determined focus on improving performance so that we provide better care for our patients," they added.

The acute trusts in the North East and Cumbria were ranked out of 134 as follows:

• Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust- ninth

• South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust- 21st

• North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust- 22nd

• The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust- 26th

• County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust- 66th

• South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust- 82nd

• Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust- joint 83rd

• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust- joint 83rd

• North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust- joint 130th

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said its high ranking was "a tribute to the commitment of our staff".

Dr Birju Bartoli, the trust's chief executive, said: "These high standards are driven by the hard work and dedication of our teams across the trust, who are committed to providing the best possible care for the communities we serve in Northumberland and North Tyneside."