Health checks show NHS performance is improving

• Increase image
• View all images

NHS performance in England is improving, the Healthcare Commission's annual health check shows.

Based on a series of checks for 2007-2008, the government's health watchdog rated all 391 English NHS trusts grades of 'excellent', 'good', 'fair' and 'weak' for quality of service and financial management.

Over 60% were rated as excellent or good for both quality of services and use of resources.

In the 2005-2006 health checks, only 41% of trusts scored excellent or good for performance and 16% for financial management.

Karen Jennings, UNISON head of health, said: 'Staff should be congratulated for the progress made.

'However, we need to see a sharper focus on cleaning services, and they must be a fully funded part of the NHS – not contracted out to private firms.'