The Chief Inspector of Hospitals has found that Southmead Hospital in Bristol has made improvements which had been required in its emergency and urgent care services.
The Care Quality Commission had issued North Bristol NHS Trust with a warning notice in December last year following concerns which were found during a comprehensive inspection. The trust was told that it must take action to deal with demand in the emergency department, where patients were waiting too long to be assessed and treated.
Following the latest unannounced inspection in October, CQC has found that the flow of patients through the emergency zone was much improved. Even though the department was under pressure at the time of the re-inspection, most patients were assessed promptly on arrival and dealt with in a timely manner.
Staffing levels had been increased at times the department knew that it was likely to be busy and patients' privacy and dignity had improved.
A full report of the inspection has been published at www.cqc.org.uk/location/RVJ01.
The Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said:
"A year ago, we found a number of concerns with the flow of patients through Southmead Hospital, with some patients waiting far too long to be admitted.
"Southmead provides a vital emergency service for the people of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, so I am glad to say that we have found real progress on our latest inspection, with a much-improved service for patients.
"The four-hour target for patients attending A&E to be admitted, discharged or transferred was being met most of the time, with additional staff available to cope in peak times.
"I note that there are some further areas for improvement. Our inspectors are due to return to the hospital next month, when I am sure we will check to ensure that the trust continues to make progress."
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Find out more
Read reports from our checks on the standards at Southmead Hospital.