Bradford's hospital chief today praised staff after hospital services in the city were again awarded top marks in the Government's performance ratings.

Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospital, was given three stars for the second year in succession.

The Trust was one of just 35 nationwide to gain the top marks last year and one of only 17 in the country to retain its three-star status for its performance during 2001/2002.

Trust chief executive David Jack-son said the rating is a reflection of the hard work, skill and dedication of staff at both hospitals.

"We have had to overcome a number of challenging targets to retain our three-star status," he said.

"It is an achievement of which all staff and everyone in the wider community should feel proud.

"We are determined to build on this platform by harnessing many of the other initiatives that are planned for modernising the NHS in Bradford. There is no room for complacency.

"Three-star status allows hospitals like ours to receive extra rewards and new freedoms to benefit patient care.

"We are keen to work with our NHS partners across Bradford to make the most of these opportunities, one example being our recent expression of interest in becoming Foundation Hospitals."

The Trust hit all nine key targets, which include:

l shorter waiting times for in-patients

l speedier appointment times for outpatients

l quicker assessment and treatment for patients with suspected breast disease

l fewer patients waiting on trolleys

l less than one per cent of operations postponed on the day

l improvements in the working lives of staff

l cleaner hospital facilities.

Of the further 25 areas assessed, the Trust was judged to be significantly above average or above average in 12 categories, including the way patients were discharged and the time spent being assessed and treated in A&E.

It was given a national average rating in 11 sections and only two areas were given a score below average - the information which is given to hospital inpatients and statistical data quality.

The Trust now plans to make a formal application to change its name to Bradford Teaching NHS Trust, after playing a pivotal role in the expansion of the Leeds School of Medicine.

From next January, Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospital will play a much greater role in the training of the NHS doctors of tomorrow, as part of a Government drive to increase the number of medical students, especially those from deprived or culturally-diverse communities.

Pictured are some of the staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary.