THE Countess of Chester Hospital has become the only NHS trust in the county to be awarded top marks for patient facilities.
The Patient Environment Action Team completed their assessment and awarded the Countess an unrivalled rating of ‘excellent’ in all three categories.
The hospital, which recently opened the doors to its £2m revamped paediatrics unit, earned praise for its standards in patient environment, privacy and dignity, and catering services.
The team of assessors, which included patient representatives, inspect standards across a range of patient services including food, cleanliness and infection control.
Deputy head of facilities Steve Turner said: “It’s always good for our staff’s hard work to be rewarded and appreciated through assessments of this nature and it also emphasises the high quality of service that the trust offers to patients.
“Issues relating to privacy, food and the general hospital environment are particularly important for determining a patient’s perception of a hospital, so we are very happy to have achieved the highest score possible on this occasion.”
The hospital’s next move is to raise more than £500,000 for advanced facilities for patients’ families and relatives.
The Relative Comfort initiative is designed to provide accommodation and extra counselling rooms for those close to the patient at distressing times.
The new self-contained flats will include two twin bedrooms, two lounge areas, shared day space and counselling rooms.
Consultant anaesthetist on critical care Richard Nelson said: “By fundraising and giving, you will provide some simple comforts for that second and vital group of carers, the families and loved ones of some of the sickest patients in the hospital, those who watch and wait and hope.”
