A hospital has received a national award for its performance at weekends.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Airedale Hospital, was one of 12 trusts to receive the highly commended honour for improving its performance at weekends, including low re-admission rates from 2011/12 to 2012/13.

Data gathered for the annual Dr Foster Hospital Guide – which analyses information from all NHS health trusts – showed that the trust was also named as one of eight trusts with very low mortality rates for both weekdays and weekends, and one of only six trusts with very low readmission rates for both weekdays and weekends.

Airedale is also one of 20 hospital trusts where mortality rates are significantly lower than expected on at least two out of four – and not high on any – of the key mortality measures, including deaths in low-risk conditions and deaths after surgery.

Trust chief executive, Bridget Fletcher, said: “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of our staff as it is recognition of the hard work they do every day to make sure the care patients receive is of the highest quality and that it is carried out with the same level of safety whether it be during the week or at weekend.

“I am particularly pleased that our weekend mortality rates have improved since last year as we have introduced new ways of working including a new model for delivering acute medical care services which provides more consultant delivered care in the evenings and weekends and allows GPs to get prompt advice from a consultant.”

Acting medical director, Dr Harold Hosker, added: “The award is a tribute to the commitment, talent and compassion of all staff, and the team-work approach that is the hallmark of all we do here.”