Emergency hospital services in Crawley have been criticised in a government watchdog report.

The Commission for Health Improvement (Chi) has serious concerns about the way care for emergency patients is organised at Crawley Hospital.

The concerns were revealed in Chi's routine review of services provided by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which owns the hospital.The trust is also responsible for East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.

The report into both hospitals found people with very urgent needs, such as chest pains, are seen quickly but many patients have long waits, often in unsuitable conditions, before moving to wards.

There were some cases of poor relationships between both casualty departments and other hospital wards.

The report said the physical environment for patient care at both A&E departments, intensive care at Crawley and sterilisation and disinfection facilities, needed urgent improvement.

Chi praised the trust for providing high-quality, accessible services in some departments.

In urology, registered patients can walk in at any time during the day to see a nurse.

The trust has also created a welcoming and efficient day surgery service at East Surrey and is starting to develop a similar service at Crawley.

The trust has been beset by management problems since it was formed in 1998.

Former chief executive Isobel Gowan left in 2000 after the trust failed to meet government targets.

Ken Cunningham, the current chief executive, discovered waiting lists had been tampered with.

An investigation discovered at least 1,800 patients had been inappropriately suspended from waiting lists.

The report says the new management team at the trust is grasping the problems and staff now have confidence in the management team.

Chi chief executive Peter Homa said: "Chi's report has highlighted concerns about emergency care in Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust but has recognised its healthcare and social care partners are also key to addressing these.

"The trust is providing accessible services for patients in some departments and should be commended for this work."

Trust medical director Francis Matthey said: "I think it is important to stress the thrust of this report is about the organisation of emergency care at the trust, rather than about the quality of clinical treatment.

"When it comes to clinical treatment, Chi has some very positive things to say about the way in which our staff interact with patients."

Staff at the trust are praised for showing care, respect and professionalism towards patients.

Mr Cunningham said: "I am pleased Chi has recognised the considerable progress made in a number of areas over the last 18 months.

"We acknowledge the criticisms made in this report about the organisation of emergency care.

"Working with our health partners, we will be addressing all of the concerns raised.

"Plans are already in hand to expand facilities both in Crawley and Redhill."

The trust is to develop an action plan to address the issues raised.