HEALTH inspectors have rated Broomfield Hospital “Good”, despite an unprecedented rise in patient numbers.

When Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors visited the Court Road hospital last year, they unearthed a failing management team, staff shortages, and poor care in emergency services before rating the hospital “Requires Improvement.”

In June, the acute hospital, home to more than 800 beds, and Braintree Community Hospital were paid an unannounced visited by inspectors, as part of a wider Government probe into Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust.

They rated the Trust “Good” for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led, but told hospital bosses to brush up on safety after rating it ‘requires improvement’ for that category.

They also revealed the emergency department was under pressure from the number of attendances.

Between April 2015 – March 2016 the department saw a 16 percent increase, double the average in England.  

Professor Sir Mike Richards, chief inspector of hospitals for the CQC, said: “The Trust has moved from a culture of blame, with staff not feeling supported or listened, to one of openness and transparency.

“The previous culture of fear had been dispelled and staff now felt empowered to perform well across all services.

“The Trust should be proud of the progress made and it knows what it needs to ensure the necessary improvements are made which we will check on when we next inspect.” 

He added inspectors were particularly impressed with the burns unit, comparable to some of the best in the world.

Inspectors also noted a number of areas of outstanding service across the Trust.

It included a specialist on site emergency care team, the dedicated ‘birth reflections’ clinic, and an innovative mortuary team passionate about providing a quality end of life experience.

However, there are some areas where the CQC requires the Trust to undertake improvements.

It has ordered hospital bosses to ensure patient records in the orthopaedic clinic must be stored securely.

The Trust must also ensure that rapid discharge of patients at the end of their life is monitored.

Medication, specifically paracetamol, must be prescribed clearly and staff must be provided with valuable appraisals.

Clare Panniker, chief executive, said: “Moving the Trust from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ required enormous commitment, focus and excellent leadership.

“I would like to thank Cathy Geddes and her team for providing the right environment in which all staff could make this happen.”

Cathy Geddes, chief nurse, said: “I am delighted to announce that the hard work of all staff across the Trust over the last two years has resulted in this excellent achievement.

“I would like to personally thank all of our staff for their dedication to improve the service we provide to our patients.

There is still work to do in some areas, we know that and work has already started to bring about the necessary improvements in these areas, but let’s take a little time to reflect on the brilliant achievement.”