The UK government has published its first NHS league tables, ranking the performance of trusts across England. The new system highlights stark differences between specialist hospitals leading the way and struggling facilities facing major challenges.
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust took the top position, followed by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust and the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, a cancer specialist centre. These hospitals scored highest for waiting times, cancer treatment, ambulance response times, and other key care indicators.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital ranked lowest
At the bottom of the list is Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, which continues to suffer from severe structural issues, including ceilings needing support beams. The hospital scored 3.35 compared to Moorfields’ 1.39. Its spokesperson admitted patients “deserve the highest standards of care” and pledged immediate action to improve performance.
The Countess of Chester Hospital also ranked poorly, with its emergency department rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission last month.
Government says tables boost transparency
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the NHS league tables would “help to hold me to account” while allowing the public to compare hospitals, ambulance services, and mental health trusts. The new rankings divide trusts into four “segments,” from best-performing to worst.
Top-rated trusts will gain greater financial freedom, while poorly performing ones will receive additional support, with their leaders facing possible pay cuts. Conversely, successful leaders may be offered pay rises if they help turn around struggling hospitals.
Critics warn of risks in new NHS ranking system
NHS Providers chief Daniel Elkeles warned the rankings must use accurate, objective data to avoid undermining public confidence. Thea Stein of the Nuffield Trust added that hospitals might focus only on measures that improve their rankings rather than patient outcomes.
Chris McCann from Healthwatch England stressed that the tables must remain accessible and useful for patients seeking the right care.
Future expansion of NHS league tables
The Department of Health confirmed that rankings will be updated every three months. From next summer, the system will also cover integrated care boards responsible for planning local services.
Streeting highlighted Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as the best-performing non-specialist trust, praising its integration of A&E and community services.
The government hopes that the new NHS league tables will drive transparency, improve performance, and ultimately restore public trust in the health service.
