'Simple' error led to PCT's mis-rating

A 'simple miscalculation' by the Healthcare Commission meant a London primary care trust was given the wrong rating in this year's assessment.

Camden PCT last week received the news that it was to be given twostar status after it had received a single-star rating in July. The Healthcare Commission rejected a further 20 requests from trusts which wanted their ratings reviewed.

Camden and the commission had agreed that the PCT should only to be rated against seven key targets instead of eight, because data for the target on access for drug misusers had not been provided by the National Treatment Agency.

But the agreement was forgotten when the ratings were allocated, a situation amended by the review. Being judged on seven, not eight, key targets meant the trust received a one-star rating - the same as in 2003-04.

Camden PCT chief executive Rob Larkman said: 'We were surprised and disappointed by our original 2004-05 rating of one star. We were confident we had produced a strong two-star performance.

'It was a simple miscalculation by the commission and we are pleased they have put it right. Our two-star rating properly reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone in the PCT.'