SALISBURY hospital has been declared as 'good' by inspectors, with an 'outstanding' in critical care following its work with nerve agent attack victims.

After an unannounced inspection at the end of 2018, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has improved in areas across the board, according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) report published today.

CQC assesses whether an institution is safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs and well-led, and apart from safe the trust received 'good' in all sectors.

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And the critical care unit moved up two ratings from 'requires improvement', for its commitment to provide "effective and responsive care" with a "focus on the safety and well-being of all staff", according to the latest report.

In relation to the incident last year the report says: "The emergency department had been responsible for the immediate assessment and treatment of five patients who presented critically unwell with nerve agent poisoning.

"Despite the novelty and complexity of these cases, the department managed to provide excellent care for these patients without any noticeable impact on their everyday workflow."

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust CEO, Cara Charles-Barks, commended hospital staff for their "dedication, compassion and professionalism" adding: "The CQC’s report is a ringing endorsement of the hard work of our staff to deliver outstanding care every time.

"All four services reviewed had made significant improvements but I am particularly delighted that our critical care unit has been declared 'outstanding’."

The safety of the trust remains as 'requires improvement' as a lack of staff put pressure on spinal services, but the report assured that services managed patient safety incidents well, and patients were provided with honest information and support.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust chairman, Dr Nick Marsden, said: "The hospital plays an important part in our community’s life, while the CQC’s report is a vote of confidence in the hospital it is a real boost to the city of Salisbury.

"I am enormously proud of the hospital’s staff, volunteers and supporters. Each and every one is a local hero in my eyes.

"We will continue to serve our community with compassion and humility, day and night, seven days a week, throughout the year - whom so ever needs our help."

Cara added: "While the spotlight of the world focussed on us this time last year because of nerve agent poisoning, every day and night hundreds of people come to this hospital needing our care."