MPs visited a hospital which says it is making improvements since it was placed in special measures last year.

It is one year this month since Whipps Cross Hospital was rated as ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors found patients were being put at risk in the Leytonstone hospital which is run by Barts Health NHS Trust.

On Friday (March 4), Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, John Cryer, and Conservatives MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, Iain Duncan Smith, visited the hospital.

They explored two new theatres built over the winter that are due to open in a few months.

Both MPs also met with nurses, surgeons and senior staff including Alwen Williams, chief executive of Barts Health, and Fiona Smith, managing director of Whipps Cross.

Dementia care is one of the areas being overhauled in the hospital.

An entire refurbishment of one of the older “nightingale-style” wards has been implemented including easy-to-understand signage, matt flooring and curved furniture to protect people from hurting themselves on sharp corners.

New bathroom facilities such as toilet seats and hand rails painted in bold colours improve visibility and safety.

A dining table and chairs is encouraging people to eat as well as giving patients and relatives a relaxing space away from the bedside.

Since the changes, no one on the ward has suffered injury by falling or developed a pressure ulcer.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “It was good to look round the improvements that are being made at Whipps Cross.

“The hospital is a vital community service, for which I have long campaigned for greater investment.”