A WHIPPS Cross director has said the hospital's “weak” rating for financial management is due to historic deficit and not related to current performance.

The trust which runs the Leytonstone hospital was today given the low rating by new watchdog the Care Quality Commission, which from April will have the power to close underachieving hospitals.

But Andy Morris, Whipps Cross director of finance, said: “Our weak rating for financial performance is frustrating as we not only balanced our books but also generated a small surplus of £810,000.

“However, under Department of Health rules, as the trust has not repaid its underlying deficit in a three year period, the score is automatically weak.”

But the report also found the Leytonstone hospital's quality of services to be “excellent”, the highest possible standard, and was rated “good” overall.

Lucy Moore, Whipps Cross chief executive, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive an excellent rating for quality of services for the second consecutive year. “This is a great achievement for Whipps Cross because the staff have worked hard and shown tremendous dedication which has enabled us to maintain our Core and Existing targets.”

East London Ambulance Service was given a disappointing overall rating of “fair”, but was rated “excellent” for financial management.

Colin Hough, CQC regional director, said: “We are concerned at the performance of the 15 trusts scoring weak for either quality or financial management, and Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust, which scored weak for both.

“The onus is on their management boards now to address their weak areas before the government’s new registration system is introduced. “

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