Shropshire two main hospitals have one of the best patient safety records in the West Midlands, according to an independent study.

But while the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust enjoys a high rating, other hospitals from the region are singled out as among the worst performing in the country in the Hospital Guide, published by health researchers, Dr Foster, which gives hospitals a band rating.

Scores are based on an analysis of 13 safety indicators, including patient deaths, and range from zero to 100, with zero being the lowest and 100 being the highest.

The scores are grouped into five bands, with the poorest performing group of hospitals being banded as one and the best performing hospitals being banded as five.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Trust which runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford’s Princess Royal has been given a four banding.

Health watchdogs, the Quality Care Commission and the National Patient Safety Agency have both recently given the trust “excellent” ratings.

Meanwhile the Mid Staffs Hospital, which found itself at the centre of a national storm over exceptionally high mortality figures, is now classed as one of the most improved in England and has been given a five banding today.

But Hereford Hospitals, and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire are both in the lowest band.

In total, nine of region’s 15 hospitals,scored in the bottom two bands.

And two – Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals and University Hospital Birmingham – had six or more recorded incidents of “foreign objects” being left in patients following surgery.

Roger Taylor, director of Dr Foster, said: “Over the last nine years of the guide we have seen a steady improvement in hospital performance but unacceptable variations still exist.”