Barnet Hospital completed a remarkable turnaround on Tuesday when it was awarded a star in the latest ratings by the Healthcare Commission.

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, was awarded one star out of a maximum of three, which are used to judge the trust's performance during a 12-month period from April. It's only the second time in five years that the trust has been given this acclaim.

"When people say that you're zero star', it can be very demoralising for staff," said Averil Dongworth, chief executive of the trust.

"This rewards the incredible amount of hard work they have put in over the past year and they deserve this recognition."

The star comes after a year in which the trust has had to overcome a £12 million debt, poor staff morale and being listed as the filthiest hospital in the country. It now has managed to break even in the year-end figures, cut MRSA infection rates by 45 per cent, and reduce waiting times in accident and emergency.

But it was the latter that resulted in the trust not achieving a better result, as they failed to deal with 98 per cent of patients within four hours during the last quarter of the year. The trust's figure was 93 per cent a significant underachievement'.

"At the moment, we are hitting those figures, so if the figures were more recent we would be even better. If the ratings took in the last six months, then we'd be a two-star trust," said Ms Dongworth.

"We have had to look at A&E and make big changes, and now these are coming good."

The trust recouped £12m during the past 12 months by cutting agency staff, using non-brand-name drugs and freezing vacancies. As well as using alcohol gels and washing hands to combat MRSA, matrons were introduced and cleaners' contracts altered so they answered to the ward sisters.

A&E waits were reduced by spending £180,000 on modernising and expanding Barnet Hospital, as well as reorganising staff. The trust still has an historic debt of £18m and will have to make further savings in the future.

"We will be looking into changing the way we do things to live within our means," said Ms Dongworth.

Barnet Primary Care Trust was also awarded a star in this year's rating after receiving zero stars last year.