Children's services in Hertfordshire are up to standard, a Government watchdog has ruled.

The Care Quality Commission report published last month rated West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust's servies good, with an outstanding rating in the area of caring.

Children’s services comprises a Children’s Emergency Department (CED), Starfish ward for unplanned and emergency admissions, a Neonatal Unit, Safari ward for children undergoing planned procedures including surgery, and children’s outpatients departments at Watford Hospital.

Inspectors praised the many positive interactions between staff, patients and their families.

They said parents were treated with respect and compassion by the staff, as was borne out by recent results from the, “I Want Great Care survey” and the CQC’s survey of Children and Young People admitted to the ward.

Inspectors reported that it was clear that children and their families were at the heart of care and decision-making and that staff put the needs of the child above all else.

Becky Platt, matron for children’s services, said: “Our staff are thrilled with the endorsement from the CQC. It means such a lot that their commitment and dedication has been recognised.

"We are especially delighted with the rating of outstanding for caring, particularly because this is decided from feedback given by families on the wards."

In order to improve safety and quality, Starfish ward is currently working with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to allow earlier identification of children at risk of clinical deterioration.

Having recently redecorated the children’s areas and built a new observation ward, the trust has have plans to refurbish the neonatal unit to make it a more pleasant and comfortable environment.

Dr Cohn, consultant paediatrician and clinical director for children’s services, said: “We are very pleased that the CQC picked up on the excellent team working between nurses, doctors and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

"We know that everyone has something to offer our patients and that by working together we are far more able to give high quality care."

West Hertfordshire Hospitals trust became the latest trust to be ordered to make big improvements after the CQC rated its services overall as “inadequate” last month.