Inspectors said some long-running concerns remained despite improvements made since the previous inspection, while new issues were identified around theatre staffing, medicines management and delays to complaint and incident investigations.
However, they said patients and relatives reported feeling safe and praised staff for treating them with compassion and kindness.
The service’s caring rating improved from requires improvement to good.
Gill Hodgson-Reilly, the CQC’s deputy director of operations in the North West, said leaders and staff had made improvements since the previous inspection but “more work was needed to ensure people receive safe, consistent care”
Coverley said the trust was pleased inspectors had recognised improvements since the previous inspection and highlighted the service’s new improved caring rating.
She said the trust had met the requirements of the warning notice issued last year and had made progress on areas including ward staffing, safeguarding and patient safety processes.
However, she added: “The safety and quality of care for our patients remains our absolute priority and we will keep our full focus on the improvement we know we still need to do.”