Medway’s A&E was rated the second worst in the country by patients, as part of a national survey.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published results from its fifth accident and emergency survey – and once again it paints a poor picture of care at Medway Maritime.

The hospital is among 10 trusts rated worse than expected when compared with others around the country. Patients were asked 41 questions and Medway was ranked ‘worse’ for 23 of them.

The only trust with more question scores that were worse than expected was Tameside in Greater Manchester, with 25.

The results show Medway scored worse in all categories, except one; environment and facilities in A&E.

The CQC report states: “Medway NHS Foundation Trust has consistently ‘worse than expected’ scores for questions around patient reported waiting times and how staff interacted with them, among others.

“All trusts rated with high proportions of questions where their performance is ‘worse’ must review their performance as a matter of urgency to ensure that they deliver good quality A&E services across the areas included in this survey.”

Medway has been closely monitored by the CQC since being placed in special measures in July 2013. The watchdogs’ latest inspection of A&E found patients were not getting safe and appropriate care.

Inspectors, who visited in August, said long waiting times were down to poor management, confusion and a lack of plans for people.

"A number of improvements have been made since the survey was conducted" - Medway NHS Trust spokesman

Since the report, the trust has employed two new emergency care consultants, a dedicated head of nursing in A&E and three new emergency care matrons.

A dedicated children’s emergency department is due to open in the New Year.

A spokesman for the Trust said: “The A&E patient survey report, published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted themes the Trust has been addressing following the CQC’s inspections this year.

"A number of improvements have been made since the survey was conducted including the appointment of more senior nurses and emergency consultants, better processes for seeing patients promptly and the development of a new children’s emergency department – due to open later this month.

"We will continue to work with our partners and regulators to ensure the healthcare needs of the communities we serve are met.”