ONE year after Basildon Hospital was given a damning report by a health watchdog, it has turned a corner.

The Care Quality Commission says the hospital is on the brink of fulfilling a wish list of improvements, demanded following a check of the A&E unit a year ago.

At the time, inspectors found blood-splattered equipment, filthy mattresses and dirty toilets. They demanded hospital bosses take action or face the consequences.

The commission gave a list of five conditions for improvements to hospital chiefs. All but one of these has now been removed, it was announced last week.

The one condition remaining – which requires the hospital to do more to combat legionella – is expected to be removed in the coming weeks.

Alan Whittle, hospital trust chief executive, said he welcomed the commission’s findings.

He said: “I want to thank all staff, whose determination and dedication have ensured this second important milestone has been achieved.

“The commission has been met with openness and transparency by all of us. We have applied the results of its assessments to improve our services to patients.

“At a visit in July, the commission did identify two minor concerns, one around the documentation of patient discharge plans and the other a need to ensure all A&E staff have specific training in dealing with violent or aggressive patients.

“We are currently addressing those issues and will provide the commission with a further progress report shortly.”

The much-publicised Care Quality Commission hygiene report was followed up by a scathing report into standards of care in the midwifery unit at the hospital.

All this prompted the hospital to bring in a £750,000 improvement package.

The hospital trust’s above normal death rates were also flagged up, but these have also now come in line with expected rates.