AN INDEPENDENT hospital in Reading deemed "caring, responsive and well-led" has received a 'good' rating following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection earlier this year.

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The Berkshire Independent Hospital, on Wensley Road in Reading, provides care and treatment to adults, which include general and orthopaedic surgery, gastroenterology, urology, gynaecology, eye surgery and pain services.

It was inspected by the CQC, a health and social care watchdog, who have recently published a report of its findings.

The summary, published in May, said risk assessments of the service were updated; training was thorough and safety was a priority.

All areas analysed, including medical care, surgery and diagnostic imaging were found by inspectors to be "good".

The report notes that physiotherapists worked "collaboratively with outpatient departments and ward staff", ensuring that patients received a "timely and streamlined" service.

Inspectors also said that patients were protected from harm as all were seen within the national recommended referral to treatment times.

Another area praised was leadership, where it was found that, throughout the service, leaders operated "effective governance processes" and that teams were managed "effectively".

According to the report, staff were focused on the needs of patients receiving care.

Staff also reported feeling respected, supported and valued.

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The report documented how the hospital had shown outstanding practice in the way it had developed the role of a mental health support nurse to provide support for patients living with dementia and learning difficulties, as well as supporting the mental health of staff and patients.

It was also documented that the practice requires some improvements fault logs in radiotherapy not being up to date.

The report also noted that waste storage could pose a risk of unauthorised access and that carpeted areas "pose infection control risks" if not adequately cleaned.