Emergency department praised for patient care

People praised the emergency department at the Royal United Hospitals Bath

A hospital's emergency department has been praised by inspectors for performing "better than expected".

The department at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath NHS Foundation Trust was singled out by regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC said the amount of people who answered positively to questions about their care in the department was "significantly above" the national average.

Toni Lynch, chief nursing officer, said the results were "testament to the commitment and hard work of everyone in our emergency department".

The national survey covered trusts which have either an emergency department, urgent treatment centre, or both.

It looked at the experiences of people who visited the RUH’s emergency department between 1 January and 29 February 2024.

Patients said the department in Bath performed well in treating patients with respect, taking time to discuss their condition, explaining tests well and listening to patients' needs.

Ms Lynch added: “We are committed to communicating well, listening and acting on what matters most to our patients, whilst consistently delivering the highest quality care and outcomes.

“Whilst these results are fantastic news, we are not complacent and will continue to strive to further improve the experience of the people we care for.”