THE 'hard work and dedication' of NHS staff in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been heralded this week after a national assessment showed a turnaround in performance during the last 12 months.

THE 'hard work and dedication' of NHS staff in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been heralded this week after a national assessment showed a turnaround in performance during the last 12 months.

It has come following the Care Quality Commission's annual health check for 2008/09 which revealed a largely improving culture in the Lowestoft and Waveney area.

The CQC is the independent statutory inspection body for both the NHS and the private and voluntary healthcare sectors. It exists to promote improvements in the quality of healthcare in England and Wales and said the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Trust has shown a 'tremendous' turnaround.

The commission's annual health check for 2008/09 has rated it as 'good' for quality of commissioning and 'fair' for quality of financial management. The ratings are a significant improvement on last year's double 'weak' score, and place it as the most improved primary care trust in the region.

David Edwards, chairman of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: 'We are absolutely delighted with the results of this year's assessment, which are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our staff.

'They show that the huge changes we have made during the past 12 months are having an extremely positive effect on the way we commission our services and manage our finances.

'This is great news for our patients and an enormous achievement for everyone associated with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, which shows we are adding value for local population.'

The Norfolk and Waveney Mental health NHS Foundation Trust has been rated among the best of all trusts in the country.

It has achieved the highest possible accolade by being awarded 'excellent' in both categories. Last year the trust was awarded 'excellent' for quality of financial management and 'good' for quality of services.

Chief executive Aidan Thomas, who joined the trust on October 1, said: 'We are delighted with the health check scores. It is excellent news for service users and partners, and recognises what our staff have achieved.'

The CQC annual health check of NHS organisations across England has shown that patients using the James Paget University Hospital, at Gorleston, are receiving 'good' quality services from a trust which shows 'excellent' management of its resources.

John Hemming, trust chairman, said: 'These results show that patients using services provided by the hospital are continuing to receive really good quality care from a dedicated and hard working team of staff.

'Although we have not maintained last year's 'excellent' rating for the quality of services we provide, we are complying fully with stringent performance measures in all areas associated with direct patient care.'