Southend Hospital has achieved the highest level possible in a Government initiative promoting commitment to employees.
The accolade comes days after the hospital was named fifth best in the country for staff satisfaction.
The Working Lives Initiative says all NHS staff should be valued and their individual circumstances given due consideration.
External assessors who visited the hospital spoke to nearly 100 members of staff both formally and informally. They also ran nine focus groups in which staff could air their views.
Areas of good practice highlighted by the team included flexible working hours, good methods of communication, long-service awards, good education and training opportunities and extensive childcare facilities.
Vicky Wilkins, workforce development manager, said: "It is brilliant but we mustn't think we don't have to keep moving forward."
Areas for development include making sure staff can convey their views to the relevant people and increasing the number of nurses undertaking personal development plans.
Published Wednesday May 26, 2004
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