Hospital performance in central Hampshire has plummeted, say independent inspectors.

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust achieved the maximum score of three stars last summer. But in the Healthcare Commission's annual figures published on Wednesday, it slumped to just one star for 2003/04.

Results were better elsewhere in the county, with the maximum three stars achieved in Portsmouth and North Hampshire, and two in Southampton.

The Winchester-based trust runs the Royal Hampshire County Hospital and smaller sites in Eastleigh and Andover.

It was criticised for making patients wait too long for A&E surgery. The Government wants at least 90% of patients treated within four hours, but the trust only managed 88.2%.

A lack of flexibility in appointment times was also deemed unacceptable.

Chief executive, Rod Halls, said the problems had now been solved. He added that losing two stars was "a shock, and a serious disappointment".

Despite the snub by inspectors, Mr Halls said he had no plans to resign.

Doug Smith represents the Amicus union at the RHCH. He said his members felt services had improved and one star did not reward their efforts. "This is a horrendous blow to our morale, for we feel that we provide a good service to patients."

He added that some employees were suffering stress owing to the constant pressure to meet targets and supply figures.

Mr Smith also argued that the one-star status was a blow for the trust's aim to gain foundation status.

Earlier this month, the trust delayed its bid until October, 2005, owing to a budget deficit of over £13m. If it wants to reapply, the trust must recapture its three-star rating.

MP, Mark Oaten, said the RHCH, which has 3,075 staff, received support in its foundation bid from 14,000 residents. "Whatever star ratings and tables show, most of my constituents are full of praise for the staff. The quality of care is second to none."

Mr Oaten said hospital chiefs told him the excessive A&E waiting times were caused by staff shortages. They also informed him that the appointment problems related to non-emergency bookings.

Prospective Tory candidate for Winchester, George Hollingbery, said the Government's star rating system did not recognise the hard work of staff.

"Whenever I visit the RHCH, I am always deeply impressed with the professionalism of staff and the facilities. This is a hospital everyone can have the utmost trust in and a lack of stars will not change that.

"I'm sure everyone will bounce back from this temporary disappointment and get back the three stars the hospital deserves."

Shirley Kenneally chairs the patient and public involvement forum that acts as the trust's watchdog.

She said she would seek reassurance from trust chiefs that the failings identified by inspectors were being addressed.

l The Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust, which handles mental health services, fared better, getting two stars and praise for its child protection procedures and standards of privacy and dignity.

Primary care trusts, whose responsibilities include health surgeries, generally fared well. Those in Mid Hants, Eastleigh and Test Valley South, Portsmouth and East Hants got two stars. The exception was the New Forest, which got no stars.