A pair of wards at Queen’s Hospital have made “vast improvements”, an independent spot check last week found.

Health watchdog Havering Local Involvement Network (LINk) made an unannounced visit to “Sunrise” wards A and B on Thursday, March 21. The wards are for people over 65.

And its report, published today, praised staff for treating patients with care, respect and attention.

“The LINk representatives walked away from the visit reassured that vast improvements had been made,” it read. “The trust has clearly listened to advice and suggestions from Havering Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Havering LINk to allow the elderly to be admitted to hospital without feeling like ‘a nuisance’. We applaud BHRUT for this.”

Among the improvements mentioned in the report is the “red tray” system, which reminds hospital staff which patients have special eating needs and need extra attention when food is served.

BHR has also freed up doctors and nurses by transferring some of their admin work to office staff.

Havering LINk’s Emma Lexton, Jackie Richmond and Roxanne Chamberlain spoke to 13 inpatients, all of whom were complimentary about the care they were getting.

But one woman who was visiting a patient alleged she had had to remind doctors to give her relative a drip for antibiotics.

When she raised the missing drip with a medic, she was allegedly told: “That is a good point.”

In some cases, the wards have made improvements recommended by previous LINk inspections – such as doctors writing up prescriptions in a more timely manner.

BHR chief exec Averil Dongworth said: “I am delighted that members of Havering LINk have acknowledged the significant improvements on our care of the elderly wards.

“We have worked hard to ensure patients receive the best possible care, and receive the support and assistance they need while they are with us.

“The Havering LINk visits have always been extremely helpful in highlighting areas for improvement, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank members for their support and help.”