Whittington named in Saga top hospitals poll
The Whittington hospital has been named as one of the top hospitals in the country for the treatment of people over 50.
The data in the Saga survey was collated by analysing each hospital in England, Wales and Scotland according to four key factors deemed most important to people aged over 50:
· Quality of care in each hospital - number of doctors and nurses and mortality ratios
· Patient Experience - including cleanliness and confidence in the doctors
· Infection control - incidence of MRSA
· Access to services - including in and outpatient wait times
The study looked at 223 hospitals in England, 25 in Scotland and 17 in Wales and scored their performance on each of the key areas outlined above. 26 English hospitals achieved an impressive five credits or more out of ten for their treatment of people aged over 50. Time spent on waiting lists has decreased in England, and this is can in part be explained by looking at the growing emphasis placed on reform and the introduction of Foundation trusts. However the picture is radically different in Scotland and Wales, whose waiting list times have either stayed the same or marginally increased.
The Whittington Hospital scored highly in the ratio of doctors and nurses to patients, and waiting times for MRI scans were low compared to the national average.
Commenting on the findings of the study, Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive of Saga said: "This survey provides a snapshot of how the NHS is meeting the needs of today's over 50s. It is encouraging to see the majority of hospitals performing well, and this is a tribute to the dedication of NHS staff. I hope that by commissioning this independent review and highlighting the top performers such as the Whittington Hospital, we will help people along with their GPs make informed choices about their healthcare needs."
The study comes at a crucial time for patients, who are now able to choose one of four hospitals where they would like to have their treatment, and later this year, the list will be extended to include the Government's flagship Foundation hospitals.
Full listings can be found at http://www.saga.co.uk/goodhospitalguide