WHISTON Hospital is one of the safest hopsitals in the UK and that’s official.

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been named amongst hospitals with the lowest risk ratings in the country in the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) Intelligent Monitoring Report.

The report is based on 150 individual indicators examining a range of factors including patient experience, waiting times, death rates, staff views and leadership and governance.

Since a new monitoring system began, the trust has been the subject of two routine unannounced inspections at Whiston and St Helens hospitals, with no major concerns raised.

Chief executive Ann Marr, who lives in Widnes,  said: “It is pleasing that the trust has been recognised as one of the safest providers of care for patients. “The current standings are based on up-to-date information from inspections and reports on care provided at the Trust.

“It reflects the hard work of our staff to ensure that patients receive the very best care each and every time and the Trust will continue to build on this.”

The Trust is named in band five of the CQC’s risk ratings. Band six has the lowest risk whilst band one is the highest.