STAFF in Hereford Hospitals are celebrating the news that their work has been recognised as some of the best in the West Midlands, and in the country as a whole.

In a nationwide survey the Hereford Hospitals Trust has been awarded seven stars for the quality of NHS services it provides.

No other hospital in the West Midlands has done better and only three have equalled it.

They are Birmingham Heartlands, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal at Telford.

Dedication

"We have been given one of the highest star ratings in this direct comparison of hospitals in the country.

"One of the best provisions of NHS services comes from Herefordshire,'' said Dr Jan Stevens, the trusts director of nursing and operations.

She put it down to the hard work and dedication of staff across the board who had continued to provide a good service while coping with the hassle of a move from one hospital to another.

''It has been hard work at a difficult time, but we are doing our job, and doing it well.

"We are extremely pleased and delighted and I am sure we will be celebrating,'' said Dr Stevens.

The new hospital guide was published in a 48-page supplement in the Mail on Sunday and was compiled in association with Dr Foster, Britain's first independent publisher of healthcare guides.

It has been described as the most authoritative and accurate measure of hospital standards.

The findings are in line with the Government's own NHS performance indicators released in February showing that some services provided by Hereford Hospitals were among the best in the country with many of the others above average.

Only two hospitals were given ten out of ten - The Royal London Hospital and St Bartholomews in London.

Worcester Royal Infirmary was given four stars, Cheltenham General six stars and the Gloucester Royal three stars.