PATIENTS have given Poole Hospital a clean bill of health in the latest national survey but highlighted the use of mixed sex accommodation and bathroom facilities.

Poole scored highly for time spent waiting to obtain a bed on a ward; support to eat and drink at mealtimes; privacy in the emergency department and when being examined or treated; confidence and trust in its nurses, and getting answers they could understand from nursing staff.

But the Care Quality Comm-ission survey found areas in which the hospital could do better, including the number of times an operation or procedure date was changed.

Lowest scores were for making sure patients’ views of their care are sought and for seeing or being given information about how to complain.

Martin Smits, director of nursing and patient services for Poole Hospital, said “The very many positives are a direct consequence of our high calibre and professional staff.”

He stressed that the areas patients had said needed imp-rovement would receive atten-tion, adding: “Since this survey was completed, a refurbishment means all medical inpatients can now be accommodated in single sex, en suite rooms and bays.

“Our emergency assessment unit now provides twice the number of single rooms than previously possible. We are committed to eliminating mixed sex accommodation except where clinical priorities render this inappropriate.”

The CQC survey highlighted the need for improvements in privacy and dignity for patients at the RBCH.

Paula Shobbrook, director of nursing at RBCH, said: “Putting patients first is the key priority for us.

“The survey enables us to focus on the areas where we can do more to ensure the highest quality of care for our patients.”