The ratings are designed to be a guide for patients

In 2003, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust failed to meet targets for casualty treatment times and waiting list lengths.

This year the trust performed significantly above average in eight out of nine categories.

The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has failed to improve after being downgraded to one star in 2003.

This is remarkable but it is a fair reflection of the quality of service our staff are offering Peter Reading, Chief Executive University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

For the 11,000 people working for the Leicester trust there was anger and disappointment at last year's zero rating.

But the new result means it can now consider applying for foundation status.

Hospital bosses are attributing the turnaround to the hard work and dedication of staff.

Chief executive Peter Reading said: "Going from zero stars to three stars in one year has not been achieved elsewhere in the NHS.

"This is remarkable but it is a fair reflection of the quality of service our staff are offering."

Across Leicestershire and Rutland, Primary Care Trusts (PCT) achieved either two or one stars and the Leicester Partnership NHS Trust, which deals with mental health, scored two.

The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which looks after the county's main hospitals has retained its one star rating, after being downgraded last year.

Clean sweep

But the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust, which provides services for people with a mental illness, has been downgraded from two stars to one.

The South West Teaching Primary Care Trust has been upgraded to a three star status.

Elsewhere, the West Lincolnshire PCT has retained its top rating while the East Lincolnshire PCT has once again been awarded two stars.

The three main hospitals in Nottinghamshire have been awarded three stars in the latest NHS performance ratings.

For the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham and the Kings Mill, near Sutton-in-Ashfield, it is an improvement on last year, while the City Hospital is consolidating on achieving three stars for the second year in succession.

The Southern Derbyshire NHS Trust, which looks after Derby's main hospitals, received a top rating as did its Northern Derbyshire equivalent.

Meanwhile, health services outside of hospitals, such as GPs did less well, with Central Derby Primary Care Trust achieving only one star.

The performance was matched by Amber Valley and Derbyshire Dales Primary Care Trusts.

Erewash Primary Care Trust obtained three stars.

The Lincolnshire Ambulance Trust has been given a zero rating, the lowest possible score, in the government performance indicators.

The trust says the rating is misleading and is based on a review carried out over a year ago.