STAFF and patients have scored Torbay and South Devon heart trust as one of best in the country of cleanliness and food.

In a national assessment carried out, the trust which runs Torbay Hospital and Newton Abbot Hospital, was identified as one of the top five for both categories. 

The trust’s catering and cleaning teams scored top marks in the Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE).

A trust spokesman said: ‘One of the organisation’s key goals is to provide an excellent experience for those both receiving and providing care. 

‘Ensuring that environments are clean and safe and that the best standard of food possible is provided play an important part in achieving this goal for Torbay and South Devon.’

Cleanliness looked at the condition of objects and facilities including patient equipment, furniture and toilets, the trust scored 100 per cent. 

In food and hydration, which looked at choice, availability and quality, the organisation placed in the top five trusts in the country.

Lynn Northcott, Cleaning Operations Manager at Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, said: ‘Our cleaning teams work incredibly hard to provide the highest standard of cleanliness across all of the organisation’s sites.

‘The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world we all live. 

‘Ensuring our environments are as clean as possible helps us keep the people who need our help, visitors and colleagues safe.’

Jake O’Donovan, trust workplace director, said: ‘These scores are a fantastic achievement for our organisation, and highlight the incredible work of our workplace teams. 

‘Our people are working every single day, across all of our hospitals and healthcare settings, to deliver a service of the highest quality and it is great to see this recognised on a national level.

‘We love hearing positive feedback from members of the public and our staff, but it is great to receive this national recognition.’

This was the first publication of PLACE data since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions in place in healthcare settings. 

A team of assessors made up of both patients and staff visit each of the settings, and the scores are published by NHS England.