Weston Area Health NHS Trust (WAHT) is one of the CHKS Top Hospitals for 2018, a prestigious award made on the basis of an analysis of data from all hospital trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Over 20 indicators of performance were analysed by healthcare improvement specialists CHKS.
The Top Hospitals awards are data driven and this year, for the first time, the award considers all trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This means trusts do not have to be a CHKS client to be eligible for a Top Hospitals award. The award is made on the basis of an analysis of over 20 indicators: http://www.chks.co.uk/userfiles/files/TH18/Indicators_2018.pdf
The data comes from the information that is regularly submitted by hospitals to NHS Digital to help track performance in a number of areas, including quality of care and patient safety. The performance indicators cover: safety, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care. The indicators are revised annually to take into account any newly-available performance information.
The Top Hospitals award is one of several awards for all acute trusts that are part of the CHKS Top Hospitals programme which includes national awards for patient safety, quality of care and data quality.
WAHT Chief Executive, James Rimmer, said: “As the smallest NHS trust in the UK we are very pleased to receive this recognition. Our staff work tirelessly for the benefit of our patients and delivering safe, effective, high-quality care is what we strive for every day.”
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare system, said: “The NHS across the UK is doing great things. Too often we dwell on the challenges – and there are plenty – but the CHKS Top Hospitals awards recognise and celebrate the great strides that are being made to improve the quality and safety of care patients receive.
“These awards have become hugely respected not least because they are based on objective data. They offer a great way for hospitals to benchmark their activity and share ideas and best practice.”
Kevin McDonnell, Business Director, Capita Healthcare Decisions, said: “For the first time we have analysed data from every trust, whether they are a client of CHKS or not, for the Top Hospitals award. The award recognises outstanding performance in those areas which we believe are critical to delivering good patient care. We are delighted that [name] is one of our Top Hospitals 2018.”
The CHKS Top Hospitals programme awards were held in London on the 15th May and hosted by NHS Confederation chief executive, Niall Dickson with guest speaker Dr Ed Coates. Over 200 guests including leaders from across the healthcare sector attended the event.