Luton & Dunstable Hospital plans to be the safest in Britain by 2011, after investing millions in 38 teams across its 25 wards and 13 other areas.

The 550-bed trust has already halved the number of cardiac arrests outside A&E and reduced its mortality rate to 10 per cent below the national average - from 11 per cent above the average in 2004.

Almost four years ago 29 improvement initiatives were introduced at the hospital, and two more have been added since then.

Chief executive Stephen Ramsden said: 'They are initiatives that will affect patients in wards, in ICU and operating theatres - it is right across the hospital. What we are achieving is a culture of putting safety as the highest priority.'

At the L&D £2 million has been invested in setting up 38 safety teams for each of the 25 wards and 13 other areas in the hospital.

Each team is made up of a ward sister and a doctor.

Half the cash has been spent on freeing up the staff for each team and the rest will go towards training, education and a handful of experts to support the teams.

Mr Ramsden said: 'We want the lowest hospital mortality rates. It's very ambitious but I think we are recognised nationally in leading the NHS in patient safety already.'

Luton & Dunstable Hospital