Best and worst hospitals revealed

THE GOVERNMENT has reiterated its determination to increase the number of doctors in the National Health Service. This follows the publication of a report that revealed huge�discrepancies in the standard of care�patients receive in England's hospitals.

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In the first ever national survey of hosptial performance, weighted to take account of regional factors, such as population and age, University College Hospital Trust, London, came out�as the best hospital, with the lowest death rate.� Barts in London and The London Hospital came joint second and the Royal Free Hospital in London came third. Walsall Hospital Trust in the West Midland was bottom of the pile, with the highest death rate.

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The study�produced by healthcare information publisher, Dr Foster Ltd, used NHS data going back five years from last March. It claims that, after weighting the results, 17 people are likely to die in England's worst performing hospitals for every ten who die in the best performing hospitals.

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It was found that, in most cases, the greater the number of doctors available the lower the mortality rates. And, three-quarters of the hospitals with the lowest mortality rates were in the south of England.

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On a more positive note it was found that overall death rates in the NHS are falling by 2.5% a year.

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The government has promised to find 7,500 consultants by 2004 and increase the number of beds available.

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