Hospitals rate highly in care for the over-50s

Research compiled for Saga by independent health research group Dr Foster rated the eight as excellent, based on waiting times, hospital experience and successful treatment.

Highest in the region, with scores of seven out of ten, were Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital, in South Shields.

Bishop Auckland General Hospital, the University Hospital of North Durham, the Newcastle trio of the Freeman, Royal Victoria Infirmary and General hospitals, and Harrogate District Hospital, all scored six.

No hospital scored the top mark of ten, while just one, North Devon District Hospital, scored nine and another, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, scored eight.

The report said that both Bishop Auckland and North Durham hospitals had a lower than average hip operation mortality rate and their overall mortality rate for the over-50s was below average.

Waiting lists for inpatients and outpatients were good.

Michael Cutbill, of Saga, said: "By highlighting the top performers, such as University Hospital of North Durham and Bishop Auckland General Hospital, we hope to help people as they choose how and where they are treated."

Roger Taylor, research director at Dr Foster, said: "As a whole, the quality of patient care is improving across the NHS, but we have been able to identify certain outstanding units which have demonstrated excellence."

With the vast majority of the 232 hospitals surveyed scoring five or less, Age Concern called for improvements.

A spokeswoman said: "More than two-thirds of hospital beds are occupied by the over-55s, yet hospitals are still failing to meet the needs of older people.

"Hundreds of older people contact Age Concern to report that they are getting a raw deal from the NHS. They tell us about discrimination and poor standards of care."

Copies of Saga's Guide to Hospitals in Your Region are available from 0845 300 0892, www.saga.co.uk/goodhospitalguide