Medway Maritime Hospital taken out of special measures

Medway Hospital was rated inadequate four years ago Credit: PA

Medway Maritime Hospital, once ranked as one the worst hospitals in the country, has been taken out of special measures. It was rated inadequate four years ago. The latest inspection found that significant improvements have been made, although there are still some concerns about low staffing levels in Accident and Emergency and Maternity.

Alan Thorne from the Care Quality Commission says the leadership team have made a concerted effort to make things better:

Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which serves a population of over 400,000 in Medway and Swale, was originally put into special measures in July 2013, and has since received significant support from NHS Improvement, including via a formal buddying arrangement with top London teaching trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’.

This report by Tom Savvides has reaction from patients, Alan Thorne from the Care Quality Commission, the Medway NHS Trust Chairman Dr Peter Carter and MP Reyman Chishti.

Lesley Dwyer, the Chief Executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust spoke to reporter Tom Savvides

Director of Nursing, Karen Rule, says staff morale is getting better.