Few people will be surprised that Barnet Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital were rated weak' by the Healthcare Commission, but that the former should also be deemed weak' for the quality of services it provides is a cause of real concern.

Both hospitals have said if they were assessed on their current performance, their ratings would be higher.

Many healthcare organisations have had to make savings in order to achieve financial balance or reduce their deficits - it is to the Royal Free's credit that its quality of service has not diminished. If only the same could be said of Barnet.