Inspectors praise Serco-run Newmarket Community Hospital

A Serco-run hospital and community health team is meeting all essential quality and safety standards, according to a health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report commended Newmarket Community Hospital for the quality of service it provides, following an unannounced routine visit in January. It also commended the community health team that is based there, as well as the outpatients department.

The hospital and the teams based there, which are part of Suffolk Community Healthcare, were evaluated against five criteria and met every one. They are: consent to care and treatment; care and welfare of people who use services; safeguarding people who use services from abuse; supporting workers; assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision.

Dr Abigail Tierney, chief executive of Suffolk Community Healthcare, which employs 1,000 staff across the county, said: "I am delighted the CQC recognises the quality of care provided by our wonderful staff.

"I want to thank them all for their high standards and caring for patients according to their health and welfare needs. We know our patients appreciate that, because everyone we surveyed last month said they would recommend all of our four community hospitals to their family and friends. In addition, almost everyone (99%) said they would recommend all the services we provide in the community."

The commission looked at the personal care and treatment records of people using the hospital and talked to patients and staff.

The report said: "People told us that they were cared for in a kind and compassionate way by staff. One person said, 'This is a wonderful hospital. The food is good, the girls are kind and so is the manager.'

"We found that people were cared for safely in the ward area at Newmarket Hospital and in community services provided by therapists and nursing teams. There were appropriate assessments made of people's needs. Care was provided based also on any risks identified such as risk of falling or developing a pressure sore."

The CQC regulates all care across the country, including hospitals, hospices and care homes.

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