BELEAGUERED Basildon Hospital is classed as one of the highest risk in England, according to a new report.

The hospital, in Nethermayne, Basildon, which was placed in special measures by the Government in July after the damning Keogh Review, is one of 44 trusts found to be of “serious concern” in the Care Quality Commission report.

Some trusts were flagged up for incidents resulting in harm to patients and others scored low on staff or patient satisfaction.

Several came to the watchdog’s attention due to whistle-blowing staff, while others had a higher than expected death rate among patients who should be low risk.

The 161 hospital trusts across England were assessed and placed into six bands during recent inspections, ranging from band six, which were hospitals deemed to be the lowest risk, to bands one and two, which are both deemed to be “serious” risk of providing poor care.

Basildon Hospital was one of 24 trusts placed in band one.

The news is another blow for the hospital, which has recently been paired with London’s Royal Free Hospital in a bid to improve standards.

A hospital spokeswoman said: “Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to work hard to improve the quality of services it provides to patients.

“Part of this commitment to improve involves significant changes and investment, including £1.8million invested in nursing staff and 260 new nurses recruited to work with the trust to fill the new posts and existing vacancies.

“We have also recruited 50 health care assistants and are overhauling our systems for risk and governance to ensure we provide safe care for our patients.

“In mid-September the Care Quality Commission paid an unannounced visit to the trust and we are hopeful the outcome will reflect the real progress we have made in the safety and quality of care we provide.”

Over at Southend Hospital, bosses welcomed the fact it had been placed in low risk band five.

Jacqueline Totterdell, chief executive, said: “We are pleased our rating reflects the hard work and commitment which our staff bring to Southend Hospital day in, day out.

“They really do live up to our values that everybody matters, everything counts and everyone’s responsible.”