NHS trust challenges ratings drop

Derriford's chief executive says its arrangements were good

NHS Plymouth said it plans to appeal against the Healthcare Commission's decision to lower its ranking in its annual performance ratings.

The Plymouth Teaching Primary Care Trust, which runs Derriford hospital in Plymouth, was deemed to have only "fair" quality of service.

Last year it received a "good" rating in this category.

The Chief Executive Paul Roberts said the ratings fall had been a surprise as hospital arrangements were good.

He said: "I have to say we were surprised to fall down [in the ratings] because we felt that the arrangements that were in place in Plymouth were good.

"The Health Commission didn't agree with us. We've got the opportunity to put in an appeal about that, which we will do."

The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust was rated "excellent" in the survey.

South Devon Healthcare got an "excellent" rating for its financial management, while the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust was highlighted as "much improved".

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