The trust was praised for implementing Europe's first hospital digital command centre using artificial intelligence that provides staff with real time data to help make quick and informed decisions on how to manage people's care.

Karen Knapton, CQC deputy director of hospitals in the North, said: ‘The centre was having a positive impact on efficiency, including reducing the length of time people needed to stay in hospital, ensuring people received care in the most appropriate wards, as well as easing pressures on staff.'

The trust won praise for several other innovations, including: developing new ideas to improve the health and wellbeing for people using services and the wider community; opening a new learning and development hub that included a simulation centre and technical skills lab; and participation in pilots allowing physiotherapists to give exercise plans to people using videos and supporting children with complex medical conditions on how to swallow pills rather than liquid medicines.

However, the trust was criticised for not having a clear shared strategy and direction for the future, although the CQC noted it was working with partners to develop this.

Workforce equality gaps, including staff from all ethnic minority groups experiencing higher rates of harassment, bullying and abuse, were also noted, although the regulator again acknowledged plans were in place to address improve this.