The latest Government league table has revealed the underperforming NHS trusts in England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting believes that this transparency will target areas requiring urgent assistance and eliminate disparities in healthcare. However, concerns have been raised that hospitals in challenging locations might be unfairly criticized. The ranking system assesses NHS trusts on various criteria such as financial health, patient care accessibility, reduced waiting times for procedures and emergency services, and enhanced ambulance response times.
At the bottom of the list of acute hospital trusts are Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, followed by Countess of Chester Hospital and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. Meanwhile, the top-ranking acute hospitals include London’s Moorfield Eye Hospital’s trust, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust, and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, known for its leading cancer treatment facility.
The introduction of quarterly performance tables aims to reward top performers with increased autonomy and funding. The goal is to offer insights into areas needing immediate support and allow successful regions to share their best practices. Separate league tables for acute, non-acute, and ambulance trusts have been launched. North West Ambulance Service ranked highest in the ambulance category, while East of England Ambulance Service came in last.
Despite the positive intentions, concerns persist that trusts serving disadvantaged regions may face unfair stigma. NHS Providers’ Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles emphasized the need for accurate data and careful consideration of metrics to prevent unintended consequences. Trusts ranking in the middle are encouraged to learn from top performers to enhance their performance. Furthermore, measures are being considered to incentivize improvement in poorly ranked trusts and support turnaround efforts by NHS leaders.
Matthew Taylor of the NHS Confederation stressed the importance of league tables avoiding blame and ensuring transparency and relevance in the metrics used. He warned against misleading patients or attracting unwarranted scrutiny. Chris McCann from Healthwatch England highlighted the public’s desire for clear information on the NHS’s performance and stressed the need for accountability in addressing service challenges.