A HOSPITAL trust has turned itself around and has passed new national standards in quality and patient safety.

Sir Peter Dixon, chairman of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, said he was pleased it had been given a green light by the Care Quality Commission under a new system aimed at raising standards in the NHS.

The trust was tasked with improvement by health watchdog Monitor last year after it missed standards in accident and emergency and cancer care.

Its chairman, Richard Bourne, was sacked and Sir Peter Dixon was brought in to improve its performance. Yesterday it registered with the Care Quality Commission without any problems.

Sir Peter said the trust’s registration was evidence of the progress it had made.

He said: “This is tremendous news for our patients and a tribute to the hard work of staff, who I shall be writing to today to thank them for their achievement.

“It gives assurance to patients and the public that in the view of the Care Quality Commission, which is an independent regulator, we are a safe organisation delivering high standards of care.

“In addition, it means as well as achieving good clinical outcomes, we are focusing on the whole patient experience, respecting them all as individuals and mindful of their privacy and dignity.”

All NHS trusts in England have to be licensed and monitored by the Care Quality Commission to provide care.

Those failing to meet its standards can face fines, prosecution, restrictions on their activities and even closure.

A total of 22 health trusts have had conditions imposed on them, including Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Trust, which was slammed along with Colchester by Monitor last November for failing standards.