SOUTHMEAD Hospital has been acknowledged for its efforts to make vital improvements to its emergency and urgent care services.

This comes from the Chief Inspector of Hospitals following a warning notice issued to the North Bristol NHS Trust by the Care Quality Commission in December last year.

The findings of the inspection concluded that concerns which had previously been raised over prolonged patient waiting delays in the emergency department had been addressed, and the flow of patients waiting to be assessed and treated was much improved.

This was despite the department being under considerable pressure at the time of the inspection.

"A year ago, we found a number of concerns with the flow of patients through Southmead Hospital, with some patients waiting far too long to be admitted,” said Professor Sir Mike Richards, chief inspector of hospitals.

"Southmead provides a vital emergency service for the people of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, so I am glad to say that we have found real progress on our latest inspection, with a much-improved service for patients.

"The four-hour target for patients attending A&E to be admitted, discharged or transferred was being met most of the time, with additional staff available to cope in peak times.

"I note that there are some further areas for improvement. Our inspectors are due to return to the hospital next month, when I am sure we will check to ensure that the trust continues to make progress."

A full report of the inspection has been published at http://www.cqc.org.uk/location/RVJ01.