AIREDALE Hospital has been ranked one of the best in the country in a national survey.

The Steeton hospital was given an eight star rating, out of a possible 10, in the survey compiled by independent organisation Dr Foster, and published in the Mail on Sunday.

Only six hospitals throughout the United Kingdom were given higher ratings.

The Good Hospital Guide used a range of sources, including questionnaires to hospitals and analysis of NHS records.

It looked at areas such as the death rate, accident and emergency waiting times, waiting lists for appointments, complaints, heart and children services and intensive care units.

The report states that the hospital, which boasts 610 beds, is: "a large hospital with a low overall mortality rate. Death rates for emergency hip fracture and stroke admissions are also low.

"It meets Government targets in key areas of heart disease but not the target for CT scan administration within 48 hours of admission with stroke.

"In A & E, 100 per cent of patients are dealt with within four hours. The hospital has a better than average performance for both inpatient and outpatient waiting times."

Chief executive Bob Allen told the Herald: "This is the second year the Dr Foster report has gone out and we scored very highly last year too.

"There are a number of reasons for our success.

"We are fortunate in being able to attract some very highly qualified staff at Airedale, due to the reputation of the place and the surrounding environment in which to live and bring up families.

"As important is the quality of the staff in primary care, GPs and our colleagues in social services. We work very closely with these agencies.

"Our success is down to the way the whole system works in Airedale which enables us to provide a good service."

In the report, neighbouring Lancaster Royal Infirmary was given five stars, Bradford Royal Infirmary was given six, and Burnley General Hospital and Blackburn Royal Infirmary, one apiece.

o Airedale Hospital is expected to fare well in another independent report due to be published today (Friday).

Preliminary results in the Commission for Health Improvement study show the hospital has an open and friendly atmosphere and staff have pride in their work and treat patients with dignity.

The trust board and senior managers have received feedback on the routine assessment, which recognised the use of emergency nurse practitioners in the accident and emergency department, the cyber caf and a liaison service with care homes.

The hospital trust is expected to fall down on complaints handling, IT systems and staff training in risk management.

The CHI team visited Airedale General Hospital, Bingley Hospital, Castleberg Hospital at Giggleswick, Coronation Hospital and the Moor Lane Centre in Ilkley, and Skipton General Hospital.