In the last year, the quality of patient care in the north east was assessed as the best in the country, with 17 out of the 23 NHS organisations in the region rated either 'excellent' or 'good' for quality.

The region was also confirmed as one of the best in England for treating patients who have heart failure, while hospitals in the region were found to provide the best maternity care in the country.

The report also shows that between April 2007 and March 2008, NHS organisations across the north east provided patients with faster and better access to healthcare. Waiting times have been reduced even further and the NHS is strongly on track to meet the December 2008 target for patients to be treated within 18 weeks of referral by their GP.

And the report highlights work to prevent ill health and reduce inequalities, with a 61 per cent reduction in deaths from heart disease between 1993 and 2007 in people under 75 years of age, and a 25 per cent reduction in deaths from cancer during the same period.

Other achievements include some of the strongest performing NHS stop smoking services in the country. During the year nearly 24,000 people used the services to quit. Work has also progressed on a number of new buildings and refurbishments across the region, resulting in better facilities for patients and staff.

Millions of pounds have also been invested in training and developing
NHS staff to ensure the most effective patient care is provided.
Speaking about the achievements, Ian Dalton, chief executive of North East Strategic Health Authority, said: "This year's annual report shows that the NHS in the north east has a lot to be proud of, as it has some of the best healthcare in the country.

"This achievement is without doubt down to the drive and dedication of staff working at all levels of the NHS.

"We now want to make the excellent services even better and step up the already successful health improvement work we are doing.

"We are committed to taking health and wellbeing to the next stage in the north east, and ensuring that all patients have access to the highest quality services possible, in the right place and at the right time."