A COUNTY NHS trust has been rated amongst the best in the country.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has been placed in ‘Segment 1’ by an independent organisation called NHS Improvement which supports trusts across the country to provide safe care to patients.

There are four segments with one being the best.

The health and care trust runs the county’s community hospitals, minor injury units, recovery wards, community/district nursing and therapy services as well as a range of mental health care.

Ann Lakin, matron at Malvern Community Hospital, said: "The trust provides a range of community and mental health services and staff across the organisation are committed to providing high quality care to our patients.

"We are in the top 15 percent of trusts nationally to be assessed in segment one which is a great achievement and the team at Malvern Community Hospital are delighted to have contributed to such a positive outcome.”

In addition to the patient care it provides, the trust has also hit all its financial targets, including achieving a surplus enabling continued investments into its local facilities.

Chris Burdon, chairman at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said: “There are only a few trusts nationally who are rated in this category so this is a really positive outcome for us and is further independent recognition of the quality of care we provide to our patients.

“To continue providing excellent care while maintaining a strong record of financial management is quite unique in the current climate and we are very proud of all our staff, both front-line and those supporting our clinical teams, for their ongoing focus and commitment.”