AN ANDOVER War Memorial Hospital unit has been rated "good" by a health watchdog after it was told it required improvement two years ago. 

An inspection into the Charlton Road hospital's Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) found the services as "good" overall and "good" in all five key areas as safe, effective, well-led, responsive to people's needs and caring.

National health watchdog the Care Quality Comission (CQC) published its findings in a report today following an unannounced inspection over two days in December.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals, said: “This report recognises the amazing care and professionalism that all of our staff, clinical and non-clinical, demonstrate day-in and day-out despite the recognised pressure on our services.

“I am very proud of all of our hard-working and caring staff for their commitment to providing the best possible care through this valued local service in the community.

"Where possible we are committed to providing local services and this is a tremendous vote of confidence.”

The report also looks at what it is like as a place to work and found that staff working in the unit have access to specialist training and staffing levels are sufficient to meet the demand on the service. 

Safety, cleanliness and training were all highlighted as being managed appropriately.

The findings follow on from a full inspection of the hospital in November 2015, which rated MIU as "requires improvement" across three areas of providing safe, effective and well-led care.

Andover War Memorial Hospital is part of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the minor injuries unit is a nurse-led service providing treatment for minor injuries and illnesses.

Overall, the hospital still maintains a CQC rating of "requires improvement".