Homerton Hospital’s A&E department has been branded “outstanding” by health inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found the accident and emergency department at the hospital in Homerton Row has consistently met the government’s 95 per cent target for admitting, transferring or discharging patients within four hours over the past year, and initiatives are in place to ensure patients are seen in a timely way.

The hospital was given an overall “good” rating, as staff told inspectors they feel valued and enjoy working at the hospital, and patients relayed they felt cared for and had faith in the staff looking after them.

The outstanding rating is the first to be awarded to any Trust since the new ratings system was introduced in February.

In November 2013 the CQC identified the Homerton should be one of the first hospitals to be inspected following a poorer rating at their initial inspection.

Healthwatch Hackney chair, Emma Craig, said “It is good to see Hackney’s hospital being recognised by the CQC for all the hard work it has put into improving, and for the service it carries out for this community.”