by Nicola Jordan

An impromptu check-up of St Bartholomew’s Hospital in Rochester has found it meets all essential standards of patient quality and safety.

The unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission found the hospital in New Road qualified in all five categories.

These are respecting and involving people, care and welfare, safeguarding from abuse, supporting staff and monitoring the quality of service provided.

St Bart’s, a nurse-led hospital run by Medway Community Health Care, provides specialist rehabilitation to people living in Medway and Swale.

Patients who may have had a stroke, a fall or major surgery receive physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing care to help them to recover and return home to live as independently as possible.

In their report, CQC inspectors highlighted the valuable role played by the therapy kitchen where patients are helped to practise everyday activities including making a cup of tea and preparing meals to help them to regain the skills needed for them to return home.

It also included comments made by patients, in which they expressed how staff recognised their individual needs and assisted them with their personal care needs in a sensitive and discreet way.

Fiona Stephens, clinical quality director, at Medway Community Healthcare said: "I am delighted that the Care Quality Commission has acknowledged and commended the excellent care that our staff provide to patients at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

"The commitment shown by our teams both at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and in the community means that many people across Medway and Swale are able to return home after serious illness."

St Bart’s started providing specialist rehabilitation in 1998 which is when all acute services transferred to Medway Maritime Hospital.

The CQC carries out inspections of all care homes, hospitals and domiciliary care services in England at least once a year to judge if the essential standards are being met.

All providers of regulated health and social care services have a legal responsibility to make sure they are meeting these essential standards of quality and safety.