Just under one in six NHS and independent organisations in England rates its hospital environment for patients as excellent across the board, says a new NHS Information Centre report.

About 15 per cent (52) of NHS and participating independent organisations scored “excellent” for all sites in self-assessed Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) inspections in 2011 across all three sections; Environment, Privacy and Dignity, and Food. This compares with just below 12 per cent (40 organisations) in 2010.

Most organisations have also improved across the three sections compared to the previous year, with at least four in five achieving “good” or “excellent” in each section, according to; Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) – 2011 results, England.

PEAT assessments aim to provide a snapshot of standards across a range of non-clinical activity that impact upon the patient in hospital; from cleanliness and signage to assistance with eating and drinking.

Although it is a voluntary programme, 100 per cent of eligible NHS organisations, covering 1,222 hospitals, took part in 2011, along with 141 independent hospitals.

Hospitals are scored in each of the three categories as one of five grades – ranging from “excellent” to “unacceptable”. In 2011 there were no “unacceptable” ratings at all and no “poor” ratings in the Food section, but one “poor” rating in both the Environment and Privacy and Dignity sections.

Although the PEAT programme is based on self-assessment to a standard format, independent validation of results take place in a minimum of 15 per cent of hospitals each year. In 2011, 22 per cent (299) of hospitals were independently validated through an external assessor.

Key findings for 2011 include:

Patient environment (Assessed elements include; cleanliness, lighting, furnishing, bedside entertainment systems, car-parking and signage.)

• 93 per cent of NHS hospitals achieved a rating of good or excellent, compared to 87 per cent in 2010. The figure for participating independent hospitals was 88 per cent, compared to 83 per cent in 2010. Patient environment ratings for NHS and independent hospitals are not directly comparable.

Food (Assessed elements include; choice, availability, quality, quantity, presentation, service and support.)

• 98 per cent of NHS hospitals achieved a rating of good or excellent, compared to 96 per cent in 2010. The equivalent figure for participating independent hospitals was 78 per cent, compared to 73 per cent in 2010.

Privacy and dignity (Assessed elements include; confidentiality of patient information, visiting hours, assistance with personal care, appropriate patient clothing and ability to follow usual faith practices.)

• 99 per cent of NHS hospitals achieved a rating of good or excellent, compared to 96 per cent in 2010. The equivalent figure for participating independent hospitals was just over 99 per cent, compared to just below 99 per cent in 2010.

NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: “While clinical care is of course paramount for the patient while they are in hospital, their experience from admission to discharge will also be informed by other elements of hospital life – from the condition of the furnishings to the quality of the food.

“Hospitals are clearly committed to assessing these elements through the PEAT programme, and this year's report shows a rise in assessed standards across the board. In fact, no hospital was assessed as having an unacceptable standard for any elements of the inspection.”

Individual hospital and Trust level data is available at: www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/peatresults2011

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