Inspectors declare Whiston Hospital among the best in the NHS

England’s chief inspector of hospitals has declared St Helens Hospital ‘outstanding’ making it one of only three acute hospitals nationally to be given top marks.

Outpatient and diagnostic imaging services at both hospitals have also been rated ‘outstanding’, the first of its kind to be awarded the highest level.

Professor Sir Mike Richards said that St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals is one of the best performing trusts in the country.

He said: “We found the care and treatment provided to patients was of an extremely high standard across almost all services.

"Members of the senior management team were visible and fully engaged with frontline staff.

“All of the staff we met on this inspection spoke positively about ensuring that patients received a high quality service and experience.”

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission found wards adequately staffed and flexible plans in place to cover shortages.

Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff went out of their way to help and support them.

Trust chief executive Ann Marr, who lives in Widnes, said “We are very proud to have received such a positive inspection report.

“This is recognition for all our staff who work so hard to provide such a high level of care and service to our patients.”

Inspectors identified some concerns in maternity services regarding the access and flow of patients from admission to the delivery suite.

Staffing and systems to learn from incidents and improve practice, they said, need to be better developed.

Improvements were required in the safe storage of medicines on some wards and in ensuring the privacy and dignity of patients on the coronary care unit.

Waiting times for patients in accident and emergency must also be shortened.

A team of inspectors which included doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, experts and senior NHS managers visited the two hospitals for three days in August 2015.