A HOSPITAL canteen used by patients across East Lancashire has been given a clean bill of health just months after concerns were expressed about food being kept past its sell-by date and general hygiene.

Back in May, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust was told that the catering premises at Burnley General were only worthy of a one-star rating out of five, following a visit by environmental health officers.

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This finding meant that “major improvements” were necessary, particularly with regards to the storage and handling of foodstuffs, as a matter of urgency.

Several internal meetings have taken place to review what went wrong since then and a number of upgrades to storage facilities and procedures were recommended by bosses.

Patient safety committee members have been told that £26,0000 was invested by the NHS trust in improving the kitchens at the Casterton Avenue hospital ahead of this week’s reinspection.

Susan Chapman, the hospital trust’s facilities head, said: “We are delighted that, following this month’s scheduled visit by the environmental health officer, the Burnley General Hospital restaurant has been awarded a four-star ‘good’ rating.

“After receiving advice following an earlier interim inspection, the summer has seen a number of improvements to the hospital’s catering facilities, including improvements to the kitchen area, an enhanced menu that more closely serves the dietary needs of patients, better stock control procedures and audits to ensure all hygiene documentation meets Food Standards Agency guidelines.

“We would like to assure patients, visitors and staff that the trust takes the issue of food hygiene and quality very seriously. We are determined to regain our five-star rating at the earliest opportunity.”

A Burnley Council spokesman said: “Environmental health officers carried out a scheduled official visit to Burnley General Hospital on Monday. As a result we intend to give the hospital a four-star rating.”