COLCHESTER’S hospitals have been panned by patients in an official report.

The overall care the hospitals offered people was deemed to be below average.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust scored poorly for still having mixed-sex bays on wards, for the level of confidence and trust in doctors, over doctors’ hand-washing practices and the amount of dignity and respect shown to patients.

The 2008 Care Quality Commission Inpatient Survey, asked patients to reply to 70 questions about the care and treatment they were given in hospital.

Commenting on the responses, the commission observed it was “a great shame” the NHS did not have such problems under control.

Denise Hagel, director of nursing and patient experience at the local trust, agreed the results were “extremely disappointing”.

She said it proved the trust was right to make improving patients’ experience in hospital a high priorities.

Mrs Hagel said: “We accept the findings, but in the interests of balance, it is only fair to point out we regularly receive unsolicited plaudits from patients. Also, our own surveys show generally high rates of patient satisfaction.

“The survey was carried out in July last year, not long after the previous inpatient survey had been published. This meant the improvements we identified as a result of that exercise had not been fully implemented.

“I know my disappointment and resolve to improve will be shared by our staff.”

Mrs Hagel added a transformation programme would be launched next month to put patients first and offer safer, more efficient and more effective services.

She explained since the survey had been carried out a significant number of extra staff had been hired to make sure the right skills were available for patients around the clock.

Cynthia Bower, the commission’s chief executive, said: “Patients are clearly highlighting some persistent problems, in particular in some of the basics of care, such as help with eating and involvement in decisions.

“It is a great shame the NHS has not managed to get a stronger grip on these issues when patients have been highlighting them for so long.

“As the regulator, we will be doing more to ensure people’s views have more clout.”