DORSET County Hospital is one of the lowest risk hospitals in the country according to the latest review by the Care Quality Commission.

It is the first time such comprehensive data has been pulled together and highlighted that a total of 44 of the 161 trusts in the UK fell into the highest risk categories.

The exercise has been carried out as part of the regulator’s new hospital inspection regime, which will see inspectors go into every trust by 2015.

The new indicators, from one to six, relate to the five key questions that the regulator monitors – are they safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Together with local information from partners and the public, intelligent monitoring helps the regulator to decide when, where and what to inspect.

Responding to the report Jean O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very pleased to see that when we are analysed against these many indicators we are shown to be a safe, low risk hospital.”

However, as part of the assessment 83 indicators showed that DCH has no reason for concern but three indicators were flagged up as a risk.

These areas were whistleblowing and in-hospital mortality for endocrinological conditions.

Mrs O’Callaghan added: “We have asked for more information about the alert that was highlighted.”

This comes after the CQC issued DCH with a warning notice on 1 Oct requiring it to take action because it is not meeting six national standards.

Following the notice the hospital acted swiftly to comply with the faults. Across the county it was not a good outcome for The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who were rated as band one – the most at risk category.

Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust received a category five rating.

CQC’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards said: “As a doctor, I liken intelligent monitoring to a screening test.

“Our inspection combined with intelligent monitoring provides the diagnosis, following which we make a judgement, which will in turn lead to action.

“Our intelligent monitoring helps to give us a good picture of risk within trusts, showing us where we need to focus our inspections.

“We aim to publish the results at regular intervals.

“They will provide the basis for constant contact with NHS hospitals and other NHS organisations, and may lead to inspections in response to particular issues.”

To have a full read of the report read this story online at dorsetecho.co.uk.