THE emergency department – formerly A&E – at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital is one of the best in the country, according to the results of a nationwide survey.

Patients voted it third in the country for the care and treatment it provides in the questionnaire run by the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of all health services in England.

Musgrove received a rating of 8.9 out of 10 for overall experience and was judged to be above average in 15 of the 35 questions, which looked at a range of areas of care.

Patients were asked their views on topics such as arrival at the department, waiting times, how well they were treated by doctors and nurses, and care and treatment provided.

Of the seven areas of the service patients were questioned about, the department scored more than eight out of ten in five, being classed as above average in three of the categories and above average overall.

Musgrove’s medical director Dr 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.