MP Kris Hopkins highlighted Airedale Hospital’s achievement in being named joint second best hospital in England on the floor of the House of Commons.

Mr Hopkins, who represents Steeton where the hospital is based, told MPs during business questions: “Airedale General Hospital in my constituency has been named as one of two trust of the year runners-up in the Dr Foster hospital guide as a result of low mortality and its high clinical efficiency rating in the past 12 months.”

He asked Leader of the House Andrew Lansley: “May we have a statement on high-performance hospitals, so that the Health Secretary can join me in congratulating the chief executive, Bridget Fletcher, and her staff on winning such an accolade?”

Responding, Mr Lansley, the former Secretary of State for Health, said he was happy to join the Keighley and Ilkley MP “in congratulating” staff at Airedale General NHS Foundation Trust”.

He added: “It is a fine hospital. It has a high reputation not only locally, but nationally.”