The table ranks trusts on seven criteria covering 18-week and 52-week elective waiting times, the cancer faster diagnostic standard and cancer 62-day combined performance, six-week diagnostic waiting times and A&E four-hour and 12-hour performance.

The table marks the first stage in the Government's 10-Year Health Plan to provide new transparency and quality of care by ranking providers against key quality indicators.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting announced the plans for league tables at the NHS Providers conference in Liverpool in November 2024 in a drive to improve performance.

Commenting on the publication of the table, chief executive of NHS Providers, Daniel Elkeles, warned of the danger of comparing ‘apples and pears' due to the data failing to capture differences between trusts in terms of available services, particularly for specialist providers. Elkeles also warned of the risk of inaccurate data affecting a trust's ranking.

‘Many trusts face particular challenges, for example as a result of local demographics, staffing or the quality of their buildings and equipment,' Elkeles said.

‘Basic "rankings" can't give patients the full picture and it will be important to make sure that this approach doesn't widen the gulf between trusts at the top of the table and those which – often for reasons beyond their control – need more support.'

Speaking yesterday, an NHS spokesperson said: ‘The new tables published today aim to boost transparency and arm organisations and patients with information by showing performance for each trust on seven key measures.

‘We recognise trusts face different challenges, and giving leaders and clinical teams accurate, up-to-date information means they can have the latest view of what they are delivering, where performance needs to improve and help identify where problems may lie.'