TWO East Lancashire hospitals have been praised for their overall environment, food and privacy and dignity afforded to patients.

A team of assessors have ranked both Accrington Victoria and Clitheroe community hospital an ‘excellent’ mark for all three categories, which means an improvement for both of them.

Kathy Reade, chair of NHS East Lancashire, said: “We are so pleased that this success has been achieved, following on from the success of not having a single case of MRSA at the two hospitals over the past year.

“Infection control and cleanliness are high on the patient’s agenda, and so is having a good environment and good food during a time of illness or recuperation.

“Residents in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley must be pleased by these outcomes. A big thank-you to the front-line staff and to those behind the scenes who give their vital support too.”

The Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT), which oversees the assessments, is made up of nurses, matrons, doctors, catering and domestic service managers, dieticians, estate directors and non-executive directors.

The PEAT team also includes patients, patient representatives and members of the public.

Last year, both hospitals achieved an ‘excellent’ rating on food and for privacy and dignity but recorded a ‘good’ rating against the ‘environment’ check-list.