THE NHS trust responsible for running healthcare across Northumberland has been awarded the highest rating possible for the second time.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust scored outstanding for its services being effective, caring and responsive following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Meanwhile it received good ratings for being well-led and safe, giving it the outstanding rating overall.

It follows the trust being rated outstanding at its last rating in 2016.

Maternity services in particular were singled out for extensive praise, not only for their improvements and overall performance, but for being committed to the trust’s vision, for embedding change and for their commitment to on-going training.

Other areas of outstanding practice included stroke services which were praised for increased performance and patient outcomes as well as the trust’s creation of an observational tool for preventing falls in patients.

Sir James Mackey, chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I have, and will always say, that our staff are the backbone of this organisation and never is that more true than today – I am forever grateful for their unwavering support and commitment.

“I am so proud of each and every one of our 12,000-strong team. From the domestic who cleans our wards to the surgeon who performs the latest cutting-edge procedures, and the nurse who delivers care in people’s homes to teams working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly – and everyone in between. They have played, and continue to play, their part in our collective success.

“While as a trust we are delighted, it is most importantly great news for our patients and communities across Northumberland and North Tyneside, all of whom can be rest assured that, if they need to use our services, they will be treated by some of the best staff in the NHS and receive the highest possible standards of treatment and care.”

However, the CCG highlighted areas for improvement including oxygen prescribing, reviewing of Patient Group Directions and the completeness of medical records. A report by the inspectors stated that the trust had outlined its plans to address these areas.