HOSPITAL inspectors have praised the efforts of staff at Basildon & Thurrock Hospital for their efforts to battle Covid-19.

It's a year since staff, and members of the public, turned on the hospital's bosses, criticising the lack of protective equipment for staff and saying that the hospital was not coping effectively with the pandemic and staff and patients were being put at risk.

That prompted a welter of support for staff and many local donations of equipment - which the hospital said were largely not required.

Today (Thursday, 8 April) a report has been released by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection at the hospital - which is still regarded as 'requires improvement' in some areas.

However, the review of Covid-19 practices, which it said were representative of the efforts across the Mid and South Essex Trust that runs Basildon & Thurrock Hospital and Southend and Chelmsford Hospitals, was positive.

Inspectors specifically looked into infection prevention and control showcased the on-going work of the Trust.

In its report, the CQC said that it was clear that the Covid-19 pandemic had created a number of challenges, but staff remained passionate about providing quality care with compassion to their patients.

Staff described how they were supported by their infection prevention and control team and kept updated with any changes in practice or guidelines

The report shows that the Trust had exceeded its target for infection prevention and control training, and 95 per cent of staff had received their first Covid vaccination.

Clare Panniker, chief executive of the Trust, said: "I'm delighted that the CQC has recognised the enormous amount of work that has been done by our staff to keep patients as safe as possible.

"Teams across our hospitals have worked together, supported each other, and taken personal responsibility for following all of the guidance to prevent the spread of infection."

The CQC noted that all the wards and clinical areas they visited had signs on their entrances, informing staff of the infection risk and what personal protective equipment they needed to wear before entering. There were hand hygiene stations, face mask stations and track and trace log-ons at all entrances to wards.

Inspectors saw that all ward and department areas were being cleaned continuously, and ongoing hygiene was being monitored by housekeepers and the infection prevention and control team.

Following the transfer of any patients with Covid-19 or other infections a deep clean team undertake a thorough and extensive clean of the room or area. In their report the inspectors said:

"The Trust had clear infection prevention and control strategies that aimed to continuously improve its IPC practice. Staff felt supported, respected and valued."

Yesterday Nub News reported on the success of the hospital in helping one patient through a long battle against Covid.

Stuart Oakley, 55, came through a stay of treatment that included being placed in an induced coma for two months. He said: "I was supported by a fantastic team. I couldn't even lift a bed sheet from me if I was hot. If it wasn't for the team I wouldn't be here today." You can read his story here.