A HEALTH body has failed to meet Government standards in child protection, the spread of infections, patient confidentiality and at least eight other areas.

All health trusts in the country have been forced to assess their own performance over the past year and Brent Primary Care Trust's (PCT) bill of health was the worst in London.

The organisation did not do enough to protect patients from infectious diseases, such as the super bug MRSA, which can spread while they are receiving care.

It also fell short of expectations in the decontamination of medical equipment and did not provide a sufficiently safe environment for patients.

In total it failed in 11 areas, did not have enough information to judge whether it had passed in another two and was initially failing in a third but managed to turn its performance around by March.

The trust could not say whether it had met the grade in treating patients, relatives and carers with dignity and respect. Similarly, the body could could not provide enough information on its equality of access to services.

Its risk management was initially ranked as inadequate but later improved.