HOSPITALS and health workers in Lancaster and Morecambe have been awarded five-star status in the government's annual NHS league tables. Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, has been named as one of the most improved in the North West after receiving top marks in 32 out of a possible 51 categories. Trust executive Ian Cumming said: "I am delighted that all the hard work and effort that our staff have put into reducing waiting times has been recognised in these table.

"I am particularly pleased that the challenging target of ensuring that 90 per cent of non-urgent out-patients are seen by a consultant within 13 weeks of referral by their GP with the remaining 10 per cent being seen within 26 weeks has been fully achieved."

The trust also received five stars for the work done at the RLI's casualty department. The community health services provided by the Lancaster Priority Services NHS Trust have also been awarded top marks. They received five stars in all five possible categories.

That means that most patients are seen within 13 weeks of referral by their GP and 99 per cent of those patients are seen within the Patients Charter standard 30 minutes of their booked appointment time.

Chief executive David Jordison said: "I congratulate our staff on their excellent achievement. They are working exceedingly hard to ensure that our services match up to what is expected of us and the Patients Charter standard." The good news doesn't end there. The area's ambulance service also came in for high praise with more than 98 per cent of all emergencies attended of the Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "We have managed to improve our speed and maintain our position as one of the country's best performers."

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