THE Okehampton Community Hospital has been awarded the highest possible score in a recent inspection.

The PEAT inspections check NHS hospitals in England for their standards in three areas of concern to patients - 'environment', 'food', and 'dignity and privacy'. Okehampton Hospital was given the top rating of 'Excellent' in all three areas.

Matron of Okehampton Hospital Wendy Bellamy said: 'We are delighted with this year's PEAT scores. We strive to provide the best services and environments we can for our patients and always work hard to make improvements where necessary.

'These ratings reflect this and a big thank you to everyone who works hard to achieve these standards.'

PEAT is self-assessed with inspections carried out by NHS staff as well as patients, patient representatives and members of the public.

They review issues such as cleanliness, hand hygiene and the quality of accommodation and food from the perspective of the patient.

Each facility is given a score from one (unacceptable) to five (excellent). The food score at Okehampton had improved from a 'Good' rating last year as more quality and choice is now provided for patients. All facilities run by the Northern Devon Healthcare Trust were included in the PEAT assessments which took place between January and March 2011 and the community hospitals across Eastern, Northern and Mid Devon were all rated as 'excellent or 'good'. Moreton-hampstead Hospital was the only other hospital inspected that received the highest score possible.

Kate Lyons, operations director for Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust said: 'We are pleased that our community hospitals have scored so highly in the latest PEAT assessment. The issueas 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.'