After nearly two decades, the controversial NHS hospital league tables make a return, sparking debate and drawing comparisons to the star ratings introduced by Tony Blair's government in 2000.

Ministers hope that by ranking hospitals based on performance, they can revive the struggling health service and address issues such as long waiting times and quality of care. The move has received mixed reactions from healthcare professionals, with some welcoming the transparency and accountability it provides, while others express concerns about the potential negative impact on staff morale and patient care.

The league tables will assess hospitals on various factors including patient outcomes, infection rates, and patient satisfaction. Critics argue that such rankings oversimplify the complexities of healthcare and may lead to unfair comparisons between institutions.

As the NHS continues to face challenges such as funding cuts and staff shortages, the reintroduction of hospital league tables represents a bold attempt to drive improvement and ensure accountability within the health service. Only time will tell if this approach will prove effective in addressing the underlying issues facing the NHS.