Plymouth says its placement recognises the Trust's quality of care

Plymouth Hospitals Trust and the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust are in the list compiled by the independent organisation CHKS.

It is the fifth year running the Plymouth trust has reached the top 40.

CHKS assessed 120 trusts across the country on things like waiting lists, emergency admission rates, discharge procedures and patients' views.

Staff excellence

The assessment was carried out for the 12 months to December 2004.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust told BBC News: "We are absolutely delighted that this award recognises the sustained excellence of our service provision over a five-year period.

"It is a tremendous reflection on all of our staff in providing a first class service to the local population."

Plymouth Hospitals Trust says it is delighted with the findings which shows the consistent quality care that staff gave.

The city's Derriford Hospital is launching a Clean Hands campaign on Friday, designed to reduce the spread of superbugs like MRSA.