MUSGROVE Park Hospital’s emergency department has been rated one of the best nationally for the care and treatment it provides patients.

It was rated third in a survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) based on a patient survey.

Patients were asked 35 questions and the results gave Musgrove a rating of 8.9 out of 10 for experience overall.

Questions covered topics including waiting times, how well they were treated by doctors and nurses, and care and treatment provided.

Musgrove’s medical director Colin Close said: “It is fantastic news that so many patients coming to our emergency department have had a good experience and have wanted to report that back.

“This is particularly good news as our department has been under increased pressure and is seeing greater numbers of patients this year with staff working hard to provide our patients with the highest standards of care.

“Obviously there are always areas where we can improve, and we are constantly working to ensure patients coming to us in an emergency, or following an accident, receive the best and most timely treatment we can give.

“We will now look at these results in greater detail so that we can focus on improving our patients experience even further.”

Some of the areas where Musgrove’s emergency department scored particularly high were in treating patients with dignity and respect, listening and talking to patients, giving help when needed and providing reassurance to patients.