YORK and Selby's GP and primary health services have maintained their position at the top of the National Health Service (NHS) performance ratings.

Although York Hospital was disappointed to lose its maximum three-star rating in the Healthcare Commission's annual audit of all NHS trusts in England, Selby and York Primary Trust (PCT) met all nine targets for the second year running.

Achievements included ensuring access to a GP within two working days, access to a primary care professional within one working day, and reduced waiting times for outpatient appointments.

Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust also retained its three-star status, allowing the trust to proceed with its bid for Foundation status.

In May, the Dr Foster Good Hospital Guide short-listed Harrogate District Hospital for the Hospital Of The Year accolade.

The trust has the lowest waiting times for outpatient appointments and operations in England.

Miles Scott, chief executive of the trust, said he was delighted with the results. "It is a credit to the dedication and expertise of staff across the trust that not only have we maintained our three-star rating, but bettered our results from previous years," he said.

"The result could also mean we can take the next step in our application to become an NHS Foundation Trust. We are hoping to gain confirmation from the Department of Health in less than a week's time that the Secretary of State has approved our application to go forward to the Independent Regulator For NHS Foundation Trusts."

Jeremy Clough, chief executive of Selby and York PCT, said the rating was a reflection of the commitment and dedication of all staff.

He said: "We appreciate though, that there is still work to do and we are continuing to develop our services through listening to what patients, their carers and families tell us. An example of this is our focus on enhanced community care, allowing patients to be treated closer to their homes."

The NHS performance ratings system places performance into one of four categories, ranging from three stars, reflecting the highest levels of performance, to a rating of zero.

Selby and York Mental Health Services, which was rated separately, scored two stars, meeting six out of seven targets.

Updated: 14:08 Thursday, July 22, 2004