RECOMMENDATIONS have been made as to how hospitals handle complaints from the public.

A group from Essex County Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee spoke to a number of representatives, including from Colchester General Hospital and the clinical commissioning groups.

The report acknowledged good practice in a number of areas to encourage patient feedback.

However, the conclusions and recommendations said there was significant opportunity to improve patient communications.

The group made 15 recommendations, including ways to make it easier to complain.

Each hospital will have a chance to respond, with a progress review in six months.