The Epping Forest Primary Care Trust (PCT) has welcomed a report by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) which highlights a number of important points it must address to boost care for patients in Ongar and North Weald.

The report praised the PCT for the way it plans the next stage of a patient's care when they are discharged from hospital and its work to help avoid prolonged and inappropriate hospital stays.

A number of areas for improvement were stressed including the out of hours GP service at St Margaret's Community Hospital in Epping, especially with regard to disabled access and consulting rooms which do not have patient privacy.

Another area for improvement was telephone access for patients to GP practices.

Chief Executive of Epping Forest PCT, Aidan Thomas, said: "I am delighted with the report. It is an endorsement of our strategy for improving the healthcare of people in Epping Forest.

"CHI raised some very important points we must address but there were no real surprises.

"Most of the areas identified for improvement are areas which we are aware of, or already have plans in place to address.

PCT Chairman, Di Collins, added that although it was a good report, the trust was not being complacent and would aim to maintain high standards and address areas identified for improvement.

Chief executive for the CHI, Peter Homa, added: "Epping Forest PCT is to be commended for its discharge planning work and committed staff who are held in high regard by patients.

"It needs to improve its use of management of information to support the development of services and commissioning of services."

Published Thursday, June 12, 2003

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