A hospital has been praised by the health watchdog for its continued efforts to heed previous criticisms of A&E standards and improve while also balancing the books.

Emergency care services at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford were inspected as part of an unannounced visit earlier this year.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessed the improvements made and rated the service as "good" in a new report published last month.

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust – which provides services to approximately 350,000 people across Dartford, Gravesend, Swanley and Bexley – had been ordered to improve following an inspection in late 2017.

But it has now been rated "good" in two subsequent inspections – first in 2019 and again in 2022 – and has improved it's individual rating in the safety category.

The visit took place in February this year and inspectors highlighted the service’s well-planned care to meet the needs of its patients.

Inspectors said staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well.

Infection risks were well controlled and the management of medicines was also well assessed.

Staff said they felt respected, supported and valued and plans were in place to ensure "all staff were committed to improving services continually".

However, the CQC also identified areas where the Trust could improve and work towards an "Outstanding" rating.

It noted medical staff were not up to date with their mandatory and safeguarding training and safety checks of emergency equipment were not always carried out or recorded.

Staff also did not always lock unattended computers to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.

Commenting on the "good" rating, The Trust says the changes and improvements are testament to the professionalism and commitment of staff.

"After the most difficult years in our history, I am extremely proud of our emergency department colleagues..."

They were praised by outgoing chief executive Louise Ashley, who is due to step down from the top job in the Autumn.

Ms Ashley said: "After the most difficult years in our history, I am extremely proud of our emergency department colleagues who have been under immense pressure during the pandemic and have shown resilience throughout.

"Our staff treat patients with compassion and are constantly making progress to ensure the Trust can provide the highest quality of treatment to the local community, which we are committed to delivering.

"As part of our journey to become an outstanding organisation, we are now working hard across the Trust to implement the CQC’s recommendations, so we can continue to make improvements and deliver increasingly high-quality care to our communities."

The Trust has also seen a reversal in its financial fortunes.

Inspectors had previously expressed concerns about the hospital's coffers after it recorded a deficit of nearly £20m.

But quangos NHS England and NHS Improvement have now removed it from the "special conditions" which had been imposed.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: "We are very pleased to confirm that NHSI/E has lifted the final ‘undertakings’ (requirements) imposed on Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust in 2018, regarding qualitative and financial concerns.

"At that time, the Trust had been rated as ‘Requiring Improvement’ by the CQC and had some serious financial issues.

"Since then, the Trust has transformed both its leadership team and operational model, ensuring that clinicians are engaged in decisions at every level in the organisation and quality and patients are at the heart of all we do.

"The results have been very impressive, with the Trust being rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ in 2019 and 2022, together with achieving financial balance at the end of both years. "

"This is a very positive step and testament to the hard, skilled work undertaken by all staff, both before and during the pandemic."

The Trust is being regularly assessed as part of a pilot program assessing urgent and emergency care across Kent and Medway.

Staffing issues and high levels of absence due to Covid-19 continue to impact health services county-wide with GP practices under increased strain and ambulance services under pressure.