GOVERNMENT health minister Jeremy Hunt has issued personal congratulations to the area's health trust after it achieved a good rating from hospital inspectors.
Mr Hunt, secretary of state for health, released the video message to staff working within Furness General Hospital and its parent body; the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust yesterday.
It followed news that the organisation had been hailed as 'good' with outstanding elements by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission during a four day inspection in October.
RELATED ARTICLE: Furness General Hospital earns coveted good rating in record time from health watchdog
In his message, Mr Hunt described UHMBT, which runs FGH, as having 'been through the mill' in recent years.
It was plunged into special measures following an inadequate CQC rating in 2014.
FGH, in Dalton Lane, was also found to have been at the centre of a national maternity scandal between 2004 and 2013 following the preventable deaths of 11 babies and one mother.
On Thursday, UHMBT achieved a good rating - becoming one of the fastest 'turnaround trusts' in the country.
But Mr Hunt went on to say he was proud of staff at the trust for their hard work and dedication as they secured 'remarkable' improvements for patients.
He said: "It is a really impressive report and you should feel very, very proud of the significant improvements across areas such as maternity and gynaecology, end of life care.
"You have been through the mill as a trust.
"At no stage of the process was this about the commitment of staff to your patients.
"But we did need to sort out the leadership and make sure there was leadership in place that was bringing the best out of you.
"You have shown everyone that you can do this and this will be an inspiration not just in the North West but throughout the whole country."
Mr Hunt added: "Theresa May and I are extremely proud of what you have achieved so very well done."
READ MORE: Caring staff at the heart of Furness General Hospital's transformation, says chief executive
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