ST HELENS and Whiston Hospitals have earned a double boost after hospital watchdogs rated them among the safest in the country for care and maternity services.

The NHS Trust that manages the hospitals secured a low risk rating following the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) Intelligent Monitoring Report.

The Trust is named in band five of the CQC’s risk ratings, after every trust in the country was graded from the highest risk of band one to band six, which represents the lowest risk.

The report is based on 150 individual indicators, ranging from patient experience, waiting times, death rates, staff views and leadership to governance.

Since the new system began, two routine inspections have been made at Whiston and St Helens hospitals, with no major concerns raised by the CQC.

Chief Executive Ann Marr said: “The current standings are based on up-to-date information from inspections and reports on care provided at the Trust.

“It reflects the hard work of our staff to ensure that patients receive the very best care each and every time and the Trust will continue to build on this.”

The CQC aims to publish the results regularly, which will inform decisions about where they need to focus their inspections.

Meanwhile, Whiston Hospital’s maternity services provide the highest level of safe care, according to a recent patient safety assessment. Assessors for the NHS Litigation Authority have awarded the Trust the highest score achievable for its quality and safety of care.

Sue Redfern, director of nursing, midwifery and governance, said: “The assessment reflects the commitment of our maternity staff to ensure that mothers and babies receive the very highest standards of care, each and every time.”