HEALTH trust bosses have praised their staff following improved performance ratings and said they have put in place a 'robust' financial

HEALTH trust bosses have praised their staff following improved performance ratings and said they have put in place a 'robust' financial recovery plan to tackle their ongoing debt problems.The Healthcare Commission, which rates health trusts across the country, found the quality of services at North Somerset Primary Care Trust and Weston Area Health Trust was 'fair'.Last year, the Annual Health Check, which was introduced for the first time, rated both trusts as 'weak'.Primary care trust chief executive Chris Born said: "We are very pleased that the hard work of staff over the past year (2006/07) has been acknowledged."It's their valued contribution that has resulted in the Healthcare Commission recognising our improving services."As well as noting our achievements, the Annual Health Check has highlighted the areas that we need to improve in and work is under way to tackle these areas."The primary care trust was rated as weak in its use of resources because of the level of its financial deficit identified in 2006/07. "However, we have a robust financial recovery plan in place to ensure that we operate on a sound financial footing in the future."Progress against the recovery plan was on target last year and remains on target this year."We will use the information from the Annual Health Check to help inform our future work, as we consolidate and try to improve our health services in readiness for next year's health check (2007/08)." Weston Area Health Trust's chief executive, Lorene Read, said: "The report will signify to our community and our staff that we are making good progress. There is plenty of evidence to show this trust is being successful."We know the jobs we still have to do and we have a lot of other people helping to push us forward, such as the Healthcare Commission and the South West Strategic Health Authority, which sees us becoming a star player of the future.