Significant improvements have seen an NHS Trust move out of ‘special measures’ following its latest inspection.

A team from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) noted a “positive culture” at the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs St Albans City Hospital – and an environment where staff are “proud to work”.

It also pointed to evidence of “strong, supportive and visible leadership” as it made the recommendation to upgrade its status when examining whether it was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Chief executive Katie Fisher said it was great to “shake off” the special measures tag and said the “only thing that deserves to be called special is our wonderful staff”.

And St Albans MP Anne Main was quick to offer her congratulations to those who had helped convince the inspectors of their decision.

She said: “This is good news for the trust and I pay tribute to the hard-word and dedication of the staff across the hospitals. 

“One of the aspects that is always rated as ‘good’ is care.  Those at the frontline continue to deliver for patients. 

“Whilst there are still challenges ahead, I am encouraged by the progress.  I know how much people of St Albans value our local hospital.  We want to continue seeing it go from strength to strength.”

The trust as a whole was rated as ‘requires improvement’, though it is considered ‘good’ when it comes to caring, as noted by Ms Main.

Watford General also ‘requires improvement’ despite a number of its departments being classed as ‘good’ by the CQC. A similar pattern was seen at St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital.

Watford’s urgent and emergency department was deemed ‘inadequate’ due to concerns over safety, responsiveness and leadership.

It comes after the announcement that almost 200 non-urgent planned operations had been deferred at the hospital this month.

And in December, a third of people visiting West Herts A&E departments waited for more than four hours before being either discharged or admitted as the NHS suffered its worst waiting time performances since records began. 

But trust chair, Professor Steve Barnett, chose to focus on the positives, noting how it was appropriate recognition of the efforts of all who work there.

He said: “These results tell a story of commitment, care and high quality services. Even the quickest glance makes it clear that we have come a long, long way since being placed in special measures in 2015.

“I am immensely proud of our staff. They never stop wanting to improve, to learn and to deliver the very best care for every patient, every day.

“Our leadership teams, from the board to the wards, have been growing in strength over the last few years and this has played a big part in our move out of special measures.

“I would also like to pay tribute to our wonderful volunteers. I was thrilled to see that the volunteer-run Carer Support Team was praised by the CCQ for the support they give to the parents and friends of unwell babies and children.”

His words were echoed by Hitchin and Harpenden MP Bim Afolami, whose father works as a consultant at the trust.

He said: “I want to offer my sincere congratulations to the trust. I know first-hand how hard all staff and management have worked to achieve this.”

Nicholas Small, chairman of Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group, was another who praised the trust’s efforts.

He noted how it was a particularly impressive achievement given that now is “a time when hospitals are under such heavy pressure”.