A Department of Health spokesperson said:

For too long, patients have had to put up with poor care and cover-ups because it was too inconvenient to expose and take action.

That’s why we’ve strengthened the inspection regime, given whistle-blowers extra protection and made it a duty for staff to raise concerns.

What’s happened at Colchester shows the new system working; the spotlight shone on failings and extra support being given to quickly improve standards.