Responding to the Dr Foster report, acting chief executive Nigel Edwards said: “These are important figures which demonstrate the progress that has been made in many parts of the NHS towards providing better and safer standards of care. The news that there has been a reduction in the numbers of hospitals where there are concerns over mortality rates demonstrates the efforts that are being made to improve services, but there is no room for complacency. 

Golden principle must be safe NHS

“There are still parts of our health system where particular services are having problems, and for the hospitals concerned this report presents an opportunity to learn and improve. There will always be variations in any nationwide system but the golden principle must be that our NHS is safe for the patients who rely on it – this report shows where we can do better. 

Collection of useable data a priority 

“The concerns Dr Foster raises over the way information is recorded and interpreted in the health service are very important. If we are going to manage and measure our health service using data on the outcomes of procedures and the success of treatments then we need to ensure that the collection of useable data is a priority and embedded in the culture of the health service.

Trusts will want to crack data challenge

"Care has got better for many patients but the NHS needs to push on and do even better in some areas. The concerns raised about data represent an important challenge that trusts will want to crack to help NHS boards accurately evaluate and improve the services they offer. Getting this right provides the foundation upon which we can all build to ensure every service rises to the standard of the best."

2010 Hospital Guide

The Hospital Guide sets out Dr Foster's conclusions about trusts' performance on:

• mortality
• data quality
• stroke care
• orthopaedics
• urology
• safety
• efficiency
• patient experience.

Visit the Dr Foster Health website for full details.