A HEALTH guide which described Worcester's troubled hospital as among the best in the country was attacked last night in the House of Commons.
Wyre Forest Independent MP Richard Taylor questioned the value of Dr Foster's Hospital Guide after it placed the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in the top seven nationwide.
The MP said it was difficult to see how it could be shortlisted for hospital of the year with its wide-ranging problems.
He pointed to the wide difference of opinion between the Dr Foster guide and a highly critical report from the president of the Royal College of Surgeons.
Problems
Prof Sir Peter Morris, college president, said surgeons had told him of "innumerable problems" at the hospital when he visited in March.
Dr Taylor said half of the criteria used by the guide, which was reproduced in the Sunday Times, were based only on the services available at the hospital.
Only five dealt with the quality of care received by patients - and these did not examine the "outcome" of treatment.
Speaking in a House of Commons debate, the Wyre Forest MP gave the example of lung cancer treatment.
The hospital was judged on the type of treatment for the disease - but not how long patients survived.
He added: "The doubt cast on Dr Foster was accentuated for me when a hospital that I know well was one of seven short-listed for the hospital of the year award."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article