Hospital Trust performance on target

Date published: 16/05/2007

Performance targets throughout the Pennine Hospital Trust during the last financial year was "good" according to trust bosses, although some targets are still proving difficult to achieve.

A total of 15 out of 17 targets including cancer waiting times and the A&E four hour target were achieved across all four sites - Rochdale Infirmary, Fairfield Hospital, North Manchester General and the Royal Oldham - last year.

The two targets missed were access to Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics and a reduction in the number of cancelled operations.

On clinical effectiveness, targets such as MRSA reduction and formal complaints still proved to be a problem.

Karen James, Executive Director of operations, said priorities for the current financial year were addressing the missed targets: "Overall, patients are being treated more quickly and we’ve reduced the number of patients waiting for treatment", she said.

Adding: "There are huge benefits for patients."

Marian Carroll, director of nursing, said the number of MRSA cases was down on last year but remained a problem.  However, the trust was doing well tackling the clostridium difficile infection.

She said: "The MRSA reduction scheme remains a major challenge for the trust but the Strategic Health Authority said our action plan was robust.

"We are all aware clostridium difficile is a major concern nationally, but it is worth pointing out the trust still remains a best performer in relation to it."