STAFF at Colchester General Hospital were among the most complained about in the country.

Figures reveal the Turner Road hospital received the sixth highest number of complaints about staff attitude and behaviour of any NHS health trust or hospital in the uk last year.

The hospital received 166 complaints in 2010, ranking it sixth out of more than 500 hospitals and health providers. Ipswich Hospital came second with 205 complaints.

Julie Firth, director of nursing and patient experience at Colchester’s hospital trust, said the figure equated to fewer than one complaint every two days being made against staff at the 666-bed hospital.

She added, by contrast, the trust had received 18,364 compliments in the past year. She said: “Surveys show the vast majority of our patients are extremely satisfied with the trust.

“Just a single complaint from a patient about staff attitude and behaviour is one too many, but it is important to keep a sense of perspective. Staff attitude and behaviour towards patients is an area where we need to be excellent consistently, which is why we have made improvements.

“Most significantly, in March, we launched a programme called At Our Best to inspire, support and develop staff to consistently deliver the very best experience.

“The programme started by listening to hundreds of patients, analysing patient surveys and gathering patient experience feedback, from which we identified a set of behaviour standards and values.

“These include being welcoming, courteous and polite; valuing and treating everyone as an individual; being compassionate, thoughtful and gentle; and listening, answering questions and explaining clearly.”

Less than two weeks ago the trust launched an awards scheme, which the Gazette is backing, to recognise staff who provide outstanding care.