Dr Foster Intelligence notes response to Hospital Guide

Dr Foster Intelligence has said that its latest Hospital Guide received more attention from journalists and politicians than ever before.

Released in late November 2009, the report focuses on patient safety within the NHS and aims to recognise the best-performing hospitals in the country.

It also features interviews with figures such as Martin Fletcher, chief executive of the National Patient Safety Agency.

According to the firm, the Hospital Guide received 139 separate mentions on national and regional radio and television between November 27th and December 1st last year.

Healthcare items on Channel 4 News, Sky News, BBC News and GMTV all featured the report during this five-day period, Dr Foster stated.

The company also said that the Hospital Guide appeared in 68 articles in national newspapers published between November 27th and December 13th, including a three-page exclusive in the Observer.

Dr Foster recorded an increase in visitors to its website after the publication of the guide, with drfoster.co.uk receiving 16,800 unique hits from November 29th to December 13th.