Airedale Hospital has the lowest death rate in the region, according to a national report published this week.

The Steeton hospital was named the top hospital in the Northern and Yorkshire region for low mortality rates in the Dr Foster Good Hospital Guide.

The trust received eight out of ten for treatment provided in Accident & Emergency, heart care, hip operations, and for the care of patients with breast, lung and stomach cancer.

The children's unit was also commended for its 24-hour cover from a paediatrician plus having specialist surgeons and nurses.

The guide did, however, identify deficiencies in renal (kidney) and stroke care within the trust.

It says of Airedale: "The Trust has an excellent 100 per cent record in meeting the two week target for urgent cancer referrals to see a specialist.

"Out-patient waiting time performance is also good (in the top third) and the low mortality rate for this trust places it in the top ten."

Chief executive Robert Allen (pictured) says: "We are delighted to receive this national recognition, which is a credit to the professionalism and hard work of every one of our two and a half thousand staff.

"It is also a credit to the quality of staff in our local primary care organisations."

The trust was also short-listed for the prestigious title of Hospital of the Year, but it was beaten to the post by St Mary's Hospital in London.

The trust says: "Airedale was put on the short list for the award because the judges said it serves the community well, sees patients promptly and treats them efficiently with well motivated staff and modern facilities.

"St Mary's has the largest number of doctors per hospital bed in the country, whereas Airedale NHS Trust is among the 30 trusts with the lowest number of doctors per bed.

"In these circumstances the identification of Airedale NHS Trust as a centre for excellence is an outstanding achievement."

The Dr Foster guide covers every hospital trust in the country and is the only independent assessment of each hospital trust.