My mother has just left Kate Grant Ward for re-enablement at home after a 4 week stay on the rehabilitation ward. When she arrived following a 3 week stay at Birch Ward in Colchester the staff welcomed us all personally telling us their first names, writing down the ward phone number and the number they have foe directly talking to a patient and visiting times. The nurse told us that we could take our Mother out to the garden and even off site using the wheelchairs they have. They did a body check on my Mum and found she had a Grade 2 bed sore (I had questioned this whilst our Mum was in Colchester but was told that it wasn't a bed sore, laying on your back for 3 weeks without being turned tends to do that). They immediately got her an air mattress and an air cushion and creams to deal with the sore and put in place regular bed turns.The ward was so clean and the staff have a pride their work and what they do. They got Mum dressed each day and helped her wash each day she had regular showers and they transported her to use the toilet. There was a good choice of food which patients ordered the day before and during the last 2 weeks Mum got to eat lunch in the day room with some of the other patients. They also had music playing on the ward. We were able to take our Mum in the wheelchair to the seafront on a couple of occasions. We were constantly kept up to date on our Mothers care and they arranged for doctors to visit her and check her heart. They changed the height of her chair several times to get it right for her to enable her to practise getting out ready for returning home. I really can't praise them enough, they have done a fantastic job and it really is top class. It's not all about new buildings etc it's about the staff and how they are lead and having respect for each other, patients and families, where everyone works together to gain the best results. Well done to all the staff on Kate Grant Ward you should be an inspiration to other hospitals.

Have used Minor Injuries who are always very helpful and never overly busy with a long wait. Also outpatients which is again rarely busy. Staff always considerate and kind. A lovely community based hospital much needed and used by locals.