The Trust has been rated as a zero star trust by the Healthcare Commission in a report published on 27 July 2005.

What does the zero star rating mean?

It means the hospital has not reached the required level in a small number of specific measures.

The star rating system covers some important performance targets but it does not take into account the standard of medical care or clinical outcomes.

It is important to understand that the quality of treatment at the Trust continues to amongst the best in the country.

Does it affect the way the hospital treats patients?

It shows the Trust where it needs to become better against some national standards and targets.

The everyday business of the Trust <96> seeing and treating patients - is not affected. Neither does the star rating system does have any impact on the amount of money the hospital gets for treating patients.

Why has the Trust been given a zero star rating?

The star rating system is based on measures of performance in eight key areas including inpatient and outpatient and A&E waiting times, financial management, hospital cleanliness and cancelled operations.

The Trust is considered to have 'significantly underachieved' against just two specific national targets:

• All patients waiting for elective inpatient and day case surgery to be seen within nine months; and
• All patients attending A&E to be seen and either treated or admitted within four hours.

The way the assessment system works means that missing the target even by a small margin can have a dramatic impact on the final star rating.

How important are star ratings?

Star ratings are based on some important measures. For example, waiting time targets are important because patients do not want to wait for treatment.

From next year the Healthcare Commission, the independent body set up by the Government to oversee star ratings, is now changing the system to look at other issues as well.