A HEALTH watchdog wants people’s views about the trust running Colchester General Hospital ahead of a fresh probe into its care and services.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission are due to visit the troubled trust for four days from September 15.

The Trust, which runs Colchester General and Essex County hospitals, was placed in special measures by health regulator Monitor in November 2013.

As a result of the next inspection, the commission could recommend the trust is taken out of special measures, but Monitor will have the final say.

The commission is seeking feedback on experiences, both good and bad, at a public listening event at Colchester Town Hall on Monday September 7, between 6pm and 7.30pm.

The commission says the event will give the public an opportunity to help it decide what to inspect.

Shane Gordon, the trust’s chief operating officer, said: “The commission has made it clear it is keen to hear from a wide range of people whom we have provided care for over the past 12 months, whether those experiences have been positive or could have been better.

“It is only with the much-valued input of patients and the communities we serve we will be able to make real, lasting, quality improvements.”

The commission will inspect eight trust services: A&E, medical care, surgery, critical care, maternity and family planning, children and young people, end-of-life care, and outpatient services. Inspectors raised concerns about the high numbers of agency staff during two unannounced checks at Colchester General last month.

The commission visited seven inpatient and surgery wards and highlighted issues over the staff’s training and induction and patient documentation.

Trust chief executive Dr Lucy Moore has met Chief Inspector of Hospitals Sir Mike Richards to discuss improvement at the hospital since an inspection in May last year.

The trust was put in special measures after serious concerns about the quality of some services for cancer patients.

The public can also call the commission helpline on 03000 616 161 to talk about care provided by the Trust or email enquiries@ cqc.org.uk