AIREDALE is among the 40 top performing hospitals in the country.

It has received the rating for the fifth time from CHKS, an independent healthcare intelligence and quality improvement provider.

An award was collected at a ceremony in London by David Moss – Airedale NHS Foundation Trust's interim deputy director of strategy, business development, estates and facilities – and Dr Cornelle Parker, consultant and clinical director for medicine.

Over 200 people, including leaders from across the healthcare sector, attended the event.

The Top Hospitals award is judged on more than 20 criteria covering safety, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care.

Bridget Fletcher, the trust's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to be judged as one of the top hospitals in the country by an independent body.

"We could not have achieved this success without our staff, who work hard every day to provide the best care they can for our patients during challenging times for the NHS."

Also, the trust was in the top five in the national patient safety awards for the third year running.