PATIENT representatives who inspected the county’s hospitals have given them a thumbs up.

The new unannounced inspections – which took place earlier this year – are the first of this kind to be carried out by members of the public to examine hospital standards from a patient’s perspective.

Locals gave feedback on the quality of care and environment for patients at the Hereford County Hospital, Ross, Leominster and Bromyard Community Hospitals, and the Hillside Rehabilitation Centre in Hereford.

Michelle Clarke, director of nursing and quality at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “We’re very pleased that this year’s inspections have been carried out independently by local people representing our patients.

“The results are generally very good and the feedback supports the work already underway making further improvements to our patients’ experiences."

More than 90 per cent was awarded at each hospital for ward cleanliness and staff hand hygiene.

Leominster Community Hospital was awarded the highest scores overall, and the majority of the hospitals were awarded 90 per cent or above for patient privacy, dignity and wellbeing, and 88 per cent-plus for maintenance of the environment.

“While the results are positive and we’re heading in the right direction, we are not complacent, and there are more changes to be made, such as enhancing the patient dining experience at the County Hospital, along with our community hospitals,” Ms Clarke added.

“We will use this feedback to ensure patients are cared for to the highest possible standards in our hospitals and rehabilitation centre."

The PLACE (Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment) results are available from the Health and Social Care Information Centre.