A PRIVATE hospital is striving to deliver outstanding care following its latest inspection from health regulators.

The Oaks Hospital in Colchester achieved an overall Good rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The report, published last Friday, ranked the Mile End Road hospital as Good in all five of the assessment categories of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Staff were commended for interacting with patients in a kind and caring manner.

Patients told inspectors staff were compassionate and kept them informed about their care.

Amy Simpson, the hospital's general manager, said: “The staff work so hard and the rating is testament to their dedication in providing consistently high standards of care. We are absolutely delighted with the report.”

During the inspection, the CQC team visited the ward, theatres, outpatients and diagnostic areas and the ambulatory units, spoke to staff and patients and reviewed patient records.

The report read: “98 per cent of patients that responded would recommend the hospital to their family and friends. Patients provided consistently positive feedback about the care they received and we observed positive interactions between patients and staff.”

The hospital was also praised for its responsiveness to patients, offering flexibility and choice for appointments and admission to the hospital, learning from complaints and adjusting to meet the needs of patients such as access to a translation service if required.

Mrs Simpson said: “We are committed to providing first class healthcare and will be looking to improve wherever we can in order to reach the ‘Outstanding’ grade at the next inspection.”