A SPECIALIST hospital trust in Stanmore has insisted it will improve further after being rated as fair by an independent health watchdog.

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust was give fair ratings for its quality of services and financial management by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

This is a marked improvement on last year when it was rated weak across the board, but chief executive Rob Hurd insisted the rating will improve in both categories next year.

He said: “I am adamant that the trust will continue to achieve the highest clinical standards and is now within close reach of achieving good ratings next year.

“It’s important to acknowledge the dedication, hard work and commitment of the staff, which has undoubtedly led to this overall improvement of our scores.”

The trust, which runs the specialist spinal injury hospital in Wood Lane, is hampered year after year by the lack of decision over the rebuilding of the hospital.

The hospital, which is currently housed in a maze of old building, was earmarked for a multimillion pound redevelopment in January 2008, but the plans have been stalled by nation health chiefs.

Mr Hurd said the hospital remains committed to redevelopment, but its ratings will continue to suffer if a decision is not made.

The CQC praised the trust for its standard of care, and management of the hospital, as well as for its low infection rates, but highlighted room for improvement in meeting targets for treatment referral.