NHS League Tables show Devon trusts among lowest-ranked nationally

New NHS league tables have revealed stark challenges for health services across Devon, with ambulance, acute hospital, and mental health providers all placed towards the bottom of the latest national rankings.

The figures score NHS trusts on seven different areas including waiting times for operations, cancer treatment, time spent in A&E and ambulance response times. 

Performance levels are calculated based on data submitted by the trusts themselves.

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Hospitals (acute trust)

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which runs Derriford Hospital, ranked 109th out of 134 acute hospital trusts, with a score of 2.67. 

Pressures on emergency care, waiting lists, and staffing shortages have all been cited as contributing factors.

Mental health services (non-acute trust)

Devon Partnership NHS Trust, responsible for mental health and learning disability services, also scored poorly, and came 60th out of 61 in the non-acute trust league table, with a score of 3.14.

The trust has recently been promoting its 24/7 First Response Service, encouraging people in crisis to call 111 for urgent mental health support.

Ambulance services

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, which covers Devon and Cornwall, was ranked 9th out of 10 ambulance trusts, with a score of 2.91. 

Long response times across rural areas such as Dartmoor and the South Hams have been a consistent concern for residents.

The NHS league tables, which will be published annually, will aim to give patients clearer information about how their local services compare to others. 

Many in Devon and the wider South West remain at the lowest end of the scale.

Local resident Teresa commented: “Not at all surprised by this. I'm a community car driver and the parking situation is a nightmare and bordering on dangerous. Also my own haematology cancer apt has been delayed by 30 weeks with no real explanation. I'm not a happy bunny.”