Kingston Hospital has been named the best district general hospital in London, in a prestigious guide published on Saturday.

The Dr Foster guide for 2009, which uses statistics from within the NHS, said fewer patients died at Kingston than the average hospital.

The hospital scored 88.19 against the national average notional figure of 100.

Other London teaching hospitals scored higher, but Kingston was the highest district general and the 15th best in the country.

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey said: “The public are understandably cynical now about all of the tables and statistics they read about, after so many years of Government spin.

“But what marks these Dr Foster ratings out as something unique and significant is how genuinely independent and authoritative they are.”

Kate Grimes, chief executive of Kingston Hospital, said: “I am delighted Kingston Hospital is the leading district general hospital in London and has been rated 15th in the country.

“We were so close to achieving a band five, which would have placed us in the highest band for the best performing trusts.

“I’d like to thank everyone who works at and for Kingston Hospital for their constant dedication and hardwork.”

The hospital was also praised for its gall bladder surgical techniques.

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