THE region has some of the best and worst hospitals in the country, according to a survey.
Research carried out by Saga, the UK's leading provider of products and services to people over 50, rated English hospitals according to red, green or amber ratings in ten areas.
That led Saga to declare Harrogate District Hospital, in North Yorkshire, as the second best trust in England, decided by factors important to people aged over 50.
Harrogate is awarded six green ratings out of ten categories.
The dubious distinction of the worst hospital in England went to Scarborough General Hospital, which came bottom of the list at 223rd.
The criteria used were: quality of care in each hospital, including looking at death rates and the numbers of doctors and nurses; patient experience, including cleanliness and confidence in staff; infection control and dealing with the hospital superbug MRSA and access to services, including waiting times.
Fourth in the overall English league table is the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead, which also has six green ratings.
In 11th place, is the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, with five greens.
Just below, in 12th place, is the Friarage's sister hospital, James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, which was also given five out of ten.
The Friarage and James Cook hospitals are part of the most indebted NHS trust in the region, which is struggling to contain spending.
The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Freeman and Newcastle General hospitals was number 44 in the English league table, receiving four out of ten greens.
On just three green lamps, Sunderland Royal Hospital is at number 67 in the table, with only three greens.
Still in the top half of the table, the University Hospital of Hartlepool (78th) and the University Hospital of North Tees (79th) both received three greens.
But the three hospitals making up the County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS trust did not fare well.
Bishop Auckland General Hospital is 134th, with only two green ratings and the University Hospital of North Durham is 203rd.
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