Dorset County Hospital has come out on top after scooping an award ahead of 95 others across the country.

The Dorchester-based facility has been voted as a top hospital in the 40 Top Hospital awards.

The award is given by CHKS Ltd which is an independent provider of healthcare intelligence and quality improvement services to the NHS and independent healthcare sector.

Hospitals do not receive an individual rating within the top 40 but the hospital’s chief executive Jean O’Callaghan said she is very proud to win the award. A total of 135 hospitals were considered and Dorset County Hospital was regarded as one of the best.

Performance indicators were considered including overall data quality, inpatient survey, A&E survey and patient misadventures. CHKS judged all 135 of the CHKS acute trusts, based on clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care.

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held in London and hosted by CHKS where Dorset County Hospital’s chairman Dr Jeffrey Ellwood and chief executive Jean O’Callaghan attended to collect the award.

Mrs O’Callaghan said: “This award is a tribute to the hard work of each and every one of our staff and the chairman and I felt very proud to receive it on their behalf.”

James Coles, director of research at CHKS, added: “We are delighted that Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of our 40 Top Hospitals for 2011.

“These awards recognise outstanding performance in the areas which we believe are critical to delivering good patient care.”

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was also one of five trusts to be nominated for the CHKS Quality of Care Award but just missed out to West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust.

Dedications

On International Nurses Day last week the Echo asked for dedications from readers for nurses who have affected their lives.

The messages proved what outstanding support nurses can give both the patients and their loved ones.

The messages we received included:

• Thank you to the nurses of Fortuneswell clinic. You are all magic and beautiful. X . Edgar.

• I would like to thank the wonderful nurses at the Fortuneswell Unit at Dorset County Hospital.

• I wish to send my regards to the best nurse – which is Laura Star in the cardiac unit at DCH. Not onlt is she first class at her job but also great with relatives. From Colin Dallow.

• I would like to thank all the nurses at the coronary unit especially Becky, Ally and Charlotte – thank you all so much for your kindness.

From Marie Smith.

• Thank you to all the nurses at A&E in Dorchester, especially nurse Agnus and Doctor Costello who were absolutely brilliant when I was admitted with respiratory problems. I just want them to know that I appreciate them. From Elaine Perkins.