For most purposes, these pages are divided into the eight National Health Service Executive areas. Results of ambulance services' performance, however, are given in a national Table . The results of all the hospitals which make up each NHS Trust have been combined and are given alongside the Trust's name. Directly Managed Units are listed under their own name.
Stars show performance at a glance - the more stars the better the performance against the standard.
Star ratings have only been given where the Audit Commission's auditors were satisfied with the data collection systems. Where applicable, arrows show a change in performance. An up arrow shows that this year's performance is five or more percentage points better than last year's. A down arrow indicates a performance five or more percentage points worse. Arrows are given only if the Audit Commission's auditors were satisfied with the data collection systems in both years, and where the NHS Trust or hospital has not been merged with another during the year.