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Hospital performing well despite losing star

The Healthcare Commission performance ratings, published today, show that Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Addenbrooke's Hospital) has again been a high performer with all eight key targets being achieved, and has been awarded two stars.

Speaking about the ratings, Malcolm Stamp, Addenbrooke's Chief Executive, said: "This has been a year of such notable achievement in the range and quality of services we offer to our patients, so we are naturally disappointed to have dropped a star in this year's Healthcare Commission ratings. The rating in no way diminishes the quality of care at Addenbrooke's, and we will continue to work hard at developing and improving our services to the highest standard."

The hospital's performance has been excellent again this year, which has seen many challenges and a new way of working as the hospital has established itself as an NHS Foundation Trust. All eight key targets have been achieved, and the Trust has come in the top band of performance in the clinical focus area.

Malcolm Stamp continued: "Unfortunately we only just missed out on three stars because we did not perform so well in the areas of delayed discharges and cancelled operations despite making progress over the past year. We are committed with our primary care trust (PCT) and social care partners to reducing the number of delayed discharge patients to free-up more beds."

To reduce the number of cancelled operations in the coming year, the hospital will open a surgical admissions unit with 6 beds reserved for those with planned surgery and building work will continue on the £85m centre for planned surgery.

The Trust has performed better than the national average and made improvements since last year's rating. These include waits for an appointment with a consultant for all cancers, clinical risk management and emergency readmission following discharge.

Malcolm Stamp concluded: "We are firmly committed to continuing this good work, and will use this experience to help identify areas that need some extra help. Our focus is, and always has been, the quality of the service we provide to patients, and we are undeterred in our commitment to strive for the best quality in this area."

Notes to editors:

Notable achievements in 2004/05 - please see links to stories on our website:

• Cambridge set to lead world in cancer research

• Addenbrooke's named a 'top hospital'

• Addenbrooke's wins leading awards for public reporting and accountability

• New dialysis unit brings treatment nearer home

• It's official - Addenbrooke's is now an NHS Foundation Trust

• Addenbrooke's patient receives 10,000th liver transplant

• Neuroangiography suite officially opened

• New clinic facilities open

• Addenbrooke's new clinical and research centre moves a step closer

• Addenbrooke's dermatology team wins Hospital Doctor award

• New state-of-the-art simulation centre for Addenbrooke's

• Addenbrooke’s research team win award for safer surgical technique

For more information on star ratings, visit the Healthcare Commision website:

July 2005

For further press/media information contact: PR & Communications Department, Box 53, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ; Tel: 01223 274 433; Fax: 01223 257 143; Minicom: 01223 274 604.