Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been named in the top ten most improved Trusts for patients’ experience of emergency care.

The results, published this week, form part of the Care Quality Commission’s 2020 urgent and emergency care survey which looked at the experiences of people using Emergency Departments and other urgent and emergency care services in September last year, compared to 2018. 

The trust runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch and Kidderminster Hospital.

The survey found that 94 per cent of Emergency Department patients surveyed said they were treated with respect and dignity.

Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The results of this survey will be a huge and welcome boost for our urgent and emergency care teams across our Emergency Departments at the Alexandra and Worcestershire Royal Hospitals, and our Minor Injury Unit at Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre, who have been working incredibly hard to put patients first throughout one of the most challenging periods in the history of the NHS.

“It comes at a time when our Emergency Departments are exceptionally busy, with unprecedented patient numbers well above what we were seeing this time two years ago – so to receive this good news is a timely reminder that, despite the significant challenge, it is one our dedicated staff are rising to.

“Through the survey, our patients have also given us some really valuable feedback on the areas where we can continue to improve.

“I’m extremely proud of our teams who are doing all they can to provide timely and safe urgent care for those who need it. 

“People can help us make sure we are still able to help those who need us by only using our emergency department in an emergency, and contacting NHS 111 to access the most appropriate care. Local Minor Injury Units (MIU) can be accessed for a variety of injuries including; wounds, sprains, strains and minor burns with much shorter waiting times.”