MATERNITY care at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has has been shortlisted for an award after being rated as one of the top 15 hospital trusts nationally.

Healthcare intelligence expert CHKS shortlisted 15 NHS trusts for excellence in maternity care, as part of its top hospitals programme awards.

It came after a study of nine clinical areas including caesarean rates, length of stay, complications, readmissions and injuries, as well as three indicators from the Care Quality Commission’s 2013 maternity survey.

The trust’s head of midwifery and children’s services Janet Mackie said: “It’s a great credit to the staff who work in our maternity services that we have been shortlisted for this award.

“At this trust we have a fantastic team of expert staff who work very hard to ensure we are giving mothers and babies the best care we possibly can do.

“Although we were disappointed not to be shortlisted in the final three, we are delighted to have been recognised as being in the top 10 per cent performing trusts.

CHKS managing director Jason Harries said: “These hospital trusts should be congratulated on reaching the final 15 and for the quality of maternity services that they provide.