The Department for Health and Social Care published the league table of NHS trusts yesterday.
Rankings came with a pledge from the Government to “raise standards” of NHS care nationally and “ensure better value for patients and taxpayers.”
North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) NHS Foundation Trust delivers the area’s hospital services as well as community and urgent care hubs.
Performance rankings were produced for acute trusts, non-acute trusts and ambulance trusts.
NCIC was ranked 130 out of 134 acute trusts – with a score of 2.99. It jointly holds the position with Medway NHS Foundation Trust.
Scores were produced based on average performance towards targets such as reducing waiting times for treatment and A&E care, a lower score indicates better performance.
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Highest ranking trusts include Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, ranked ninth with a score of 1.74, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, ranked fourth with a score of 1.52, and University Hospitals Bristol & Weston, ranked 13 with a score of 1.93.
A spokesperson for North Cumbria Integrated Care said that while the trust’s performance is ‘disappointing’, the situation is improving.
An image of the Cumberland Infirmary hospital in Carlisle (Image: Archive) The NCIC said its rating was “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.
“As a Trust, we’ve stabilised and are improving from where we were four years ago. It is clear that we still have a lot to do.”
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP said: “These league tables will identify where urgent support is needed and allow high-performing areas to share best practices with others, taking the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.”
He pledged to “end the postcode lottery”, announcing a £26billion cash injection as well as “tough reforms” which will ensure value for money and cut waiting times.
The NCIC spokesperson said: “The whole NCIC team share a determined focus on improving performance so that we can provide better care for our patients.
“We are also reimagining the way we deliver care in North Cumbria – reviewing our services so that they are sustainable and fit for the future.
“We’re proud of the fantastic work of our colleagues. We’re clear about what still needs to change. And we’re ambitious for what’s ahead.”
They stressed that the scores released by Government this week are based on more than 40 indicators covering all aspects of performance, workforce, culture and finance.
“However we recognise that our A&E performance is not acceptable and must be a priority for improvement.”
