MEDWAY Maritime Hospital looked like a suitable case for treatment in a nationwide Good Hospital Guide published by the Sunday Times.

The survey, of every NHS Trust and hospital board in the UK, was compiled using official statistics, patient surveys and opinion polls.

The hospital fared badly in the guide's mortality index, which gives an indication of whether the number of people who died at the hospital was higher or lower than expected. The index average was 100, but Medway Maritime's figure was 120.

The guide said: "The mortality rate has decreased by 10 per cent in the last year, but was still 20 per cent higher than expected, making it the seventh worst in England."

Staffing levels for doctors were above average and nurses slightly below. Waiting times were a cause for concern, as the Medway Trust was in the bottom 30 nationally for long outpatients waits and in the bottom 10 for inpatients being admitted within six months of referral.

The guide added: "In addition, its scores for patient satisfaction and confidence in doctors are in the bottom 20 in England."

According to the guide, a disproportionate number of the worst-performing trusts were in the South East. Of the 20 worst, 10 were in the South East or outer London.

No one from the Medway NHS Trust was available for comment.