THE high standard of teaching at an Essex hospital has been acknowledged by medical chiefs who have decided to give it university status.Colchester General Hospital has received the boost as it continues its bid to become an NHS Foundation Trust (FT).

THE high standard of teaching at an Essex hospital has been acknowledged by medical chiefs who have decided to give it university status.

Colchester General Hospital has received the boost as it continues its bid to become an NHS Foundation Trust (FT).

The hospital, half way through its 12-week public consultation to support its FT bid, has now seen its application to become an Associated NHS University Provider Trust approved.

The decision was welcomed by senior staff. Associate Dean Dr Paul Conn, whose role is to deliver the undergraduate curriculum for medical students, said it was recognition of the effort and skill of the teachers.

He said: “Many of the senior medical staff have given a lot of their time, effort and skill to teaching these young doctors over the years and this accreditation from the University of London is in recognition of that teaching and of the high quality of research carried out in the Trust.”

Many of the students at the site come from well respected medical school such as Barts, University College London and Imperial College London.

Peter Murphy, the hospital's chief executive, said: “It will enhance our ability to attract staff of the very highest calibre.

“All in all, it is very good news for the hospital, for our staff and for the people we care for.”

Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Colchester General Hospital and Essex County Hospital, is currently seeking the public's opinion about how it would run as an NHS Foundation Trust.

Should FT status also be granted, the hospital trust is proposing changing its name to Colchester Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

Foundation trusts have greater financial freedom to develop new services which better meet the needs of those they serve.

Anyone wishing to voice their views as part in the public consultation can do so by visiting www.essexrivers.nhs.uk.