PATIENTS are being asked to share their experiences at Basildon Hospital with a leading health inspector.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, England’s chief inspector of hospitals, is holding a listening evening to hear views on the trust as part of a radical new inspection process.

The hospital, in Nethermayne, will be one of the first in the country to be visited by the Care Quality Commission under the changes.

Overall ratings of outstanding, good, requiring improvement or inadequate will now be implemented.

Inspection reports currently state whether essential standards are being set.

The changes mean larger inspection teams will be needed. They will be headed by clinical professionals and other experts, including trained members of the public.

Sir Mike and his team will start their inspection at Basildon Hospital on Tuesday, looking in detail at eight key areas – A&E, medical care, including the frail elderly, surgery, intensive and critical care, maternity, paediatrics and children’s care, end of life care and outpatients.

That evening they will take to the Towngate Theatre, in St Martins Square, to hear about experiences of care at the hospital and find out what improvements the people of Basildon would like to see.

Sir Mike said: “The new inspections are designed to provide people with a clear picture of the quality of the services in their local hospital, exposing poor or mediocre care, as well as highlighting the many hospitals providing good and excellent care.

“We know there is too much variation in quality – these new in-depth inspections will allow us to get a much more detailed picture of care in hospitals than ever before. Of course, we will be talking to doctors and nurses, hospital managers and patients at the trust.

“But it is vital that we also hear the views of the people who have received care at the trust, or anyone who wants to share information with us.

“This will help us plan our inspection, and so help us focus on the things that really matter to people who depend on this service.

This is your opportunity to tell me and my team what you think, and make a difference to the NHS services in the local area.”

The event will take place in the Gielgud room at the theatre from 6.30pm.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact the Care Quality Commission on 03000 616161 or e-mail cqcthenextphase@ cqc.org.uk A full report of findings from the inspection will be published later this year.