Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton hopsitals scored high in a survey designed to inspect patient dignity and food standards

Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton hospitals have been praised for their food standards and patient dignity.

Environment, food, privacy and dignity all scored high when the two hospitals were inspected as part of a self-assessment carried out by the Patient Environment Action Teams (PEAT).

Exmouth Hospital was rated ‘Good’ for environment, ‘excellent’ for food and ‘good’ for privacy and dignity.

Budleigh Salterton hospital scored ‘Good’ in all three areas.

Brenda O’Meara, matron at both hospitals, said she was ‘extremely pleased’ Budleigh had improved its rating, moving from an ‘acceptable’ food rating in 2010, to ‘good’ in 2011.

She said Exmouth’s privacy and dignity rating had fallen from excellent to good on account minor damage to a curtain in the mortuary – which had since been rectified.

The matron said: “The curtain was damaged and needing replacing, but this has now been resolved.

“We had so many positive comments on the cleanliness and high catering standards at Exmouth.

“This is a real credit to the entire team who should take real pride in their work at both Exmouth and Budleigh hospitals.”

Kate Lyons, operations director, said “We are pleased that our hospitals in Exmouth and Budleigh have done so well in the latest PEAT assessment.

“The issues of cleanliness, food and privacy are very important to patients and we do all we can to provide our patients with an excellent service and experience.”

The PEAT self-assessment inspections were carried out by NHS staff including matrons and doctors as well as patients, patient representatives and members of the public.

The panel reviews cleanliness, hand hygiene and the quality of accommodation and food from the perspective of the patient.

Sites are each given scores from one (unacceptable) to five (excellent).