THE EAST Cheshire NHS Trust and Primary Care Trust said they were disappointed but not down-hearted by the news they have both retained a two star rating in the NHS performance league published today (Wednesday).
The Healthcare Commission report stated that both trusts had achieved targets in eight of the nine categories on which they were judged but both underachieved in A&E waiting times.
The NHS Trust, which runs hospital services for almost 200,000 patients, dropped from three star in 2002 and this year hoped to regain its top status of which it was so proud.
This year it met key targets for hospital cleanliness, a two week wait for cancer patients, 12 hour waits for emergency admission via A&E, and financial management.
It also achieved goals improving the working life of staff, outpatient and day case booking, outpatients waiting longer than standard, and patients waiting for operations.
But it did not meet the target of keeping A&E waiting times at four hours or less.
Hospital Chief executive John Wilbraham said: "It was unfortunate that we were not able to hit the four hour target in A&E."
"This has been a challenge all year, with very heavy and growing demand from emergency patients."
"We have just completed a £430,000 investment in A&E which provides an observation unit, assessment unit and a new children's waiting area."
"This, together with investment by our Primary Care Trust partner will assist in raising performance."
Without a three star rating the trust is unable to apply for foundation hospital status but a spokesman for the hospital said: "Foundation status is part of our long term strategy but not in our immediate plans and we are very pleased with our results."
The trust received good scores with the only poor indicator scores given to junior doctors' hours and receiving breast cancer treatment within one month of diagnosis.
Mr Wilbraham added: "The doctors' hours have been affected by European Law and we are taking on more doctors to deal with this problem."
"The breast cancer criticism has also been addressed. This involved a handful of patients during a busy period and we have reviewed our system."
"Performance in recent months has improved and all patients have been treated within one month."
The East Cheshire Primary Care Trust, which this year will spend £190 million on local healthcare, met targets for access to a GP, access to a primary care professional, drug misuse treatment, and financial management.
It also achieved the target of people quitting smoking for more than four weeks, improving the working life of staff, outpatient waiting times and patients waiting for an operation or treatment.
The Primary Care Trust also did not meet the target of keeping A&E waiting times at four hours or less.
Primary Care Trust chief executive Peter Cubbon, said: "Congratulations to all the staff on the two stars!"
"We have achieved an excellent result which is down to hard work and commitment and the people of East Cheshire are the winners - we seek constantly to improve on the care and service they expect."
