Hospital star ratings are unfair, maintained Colchester MP Bob Russell.

The Lib Dem MP criticised the system in the Commons, saying the town's one-star rated hospitals performed better clinically than some two and three-star hospitals locally.

During health questions, he said the system was "grossly insulting" to medical and support staff and "misleading" to the public.

He said Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust, which runs Essex County and Colchester General, had dropped from three stars to one, but that was partly due to financial reasons.

"The staff are working their socks off," he said.

Responding to Mr Russell's comments, health minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said the ratings were first and foremost a tool to help management improve the overall standards of hospitals.

Published Wednesday, September 15, 2004

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