NHS West Essex has been given a rating of good at its annual check-up, putting it among the top four Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in the east of England.

The PCT's performance is a step up on last year when it was rated fair by the Care Quality Commission which scores trusts on seven areas including safety, cost effectiveness, and patient focus.

NHS West Essex controls much of the NHS budget for the 270,000 people who live in the Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford districts.

PCT deputy chief executive Kirsty Boettcher said: “These results are marvellous news and demonstrate that we are working effectively on behalf of our local communities.

“Our achievement is due to the commitment, dedication and professionalism of all our staff. It is also down to our excellent relationships with a range of partners who we will continue to work with closely in the future.

“However, there is no room to be complacent and we will continue to strive to improve health and healthcare for all our local communities while facing significant financial challenges ahead.”