Health secretary Jeremy Hunt congratulates Queen’s Hospital staff for coming out of special measures

The health secretary sent a special video to Queen’s Hospital staff, praising its trust for becoming the first in London to come out of special measures.

Mr Hunt congratulated all workers at the hospital in Rom Valley Way, Romford, as well as the rest of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), including King George Hospital, Goodmayes.

A report published today by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced that the trust was coming out of special measures following “significant improvements” since the last inspection in May 2015.

Mr Hunt said: “It’s been a long journey for everyone, you’ve been in special measures for four years, you’ve worked really hard under Matthew Hopkins’ leadership to turn things around.

“It was never the fault of staff when you went into special measures in the first place, you’ve got a terrific reputation for your care, compassion and attitude to patients.

“But a number of things needed to be sorted out – you’ve done that – you’re the first trust in London to come out of special measures.”