The NHS trust which runs Whittington Hospital has emerged as one of the top five across the country for keeping mortality rates low.

The top 10 performing trusts were all based in London with the Whittington finishing second only to University College London.

Every three months the Government’s health information unit collates mortality figures for each hospital trust across the country to ensure mortality rates are in keeping.

Higher than usual death figures were what led to the infamous mid Staffordshire scandal being detected.

The Royal College of Nursing welcomed the latest results for London trusts. Its director, Bernell Bussue, said: “This is really good news for patients in London. NHS staff, and nurses in particular, have taken a lot of criticism in recent weeks.

“London’s hospitals face significant pressures with budgets cuts, service restructuring and real pressure on resources. Despite this, these figures show that London’s trusts currently have the best mortality outcomes in the country.”