A HOSPITAL has been hailed for having the best food in the country.

The quality of food at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital (RJAH) has come out on top of the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) Adult Inpatient Survey.

The survey included the question: ‘How would you rate the hospital food?’, with respondents asked to give a mark out of 10.

RJAH came out on top, with an average score of 8.02 – comfortably ahead of the other 148 Trusts in the survey – and an improvement on last year’s winning score of 7.6.

When asked ‘Were you offered a choice of food?’ RJAH scored an average of 9.66, which was again the highest in the country.

Phil Davies, head of estates and facilities at RJAH, said: “High quality, nutritious food is absolutely vital for patients during their time in hospital, and we work hard to ensure that is exactly what they get. We are extremely proud of the food we produce, and it’s extremely rewarding that our patients are pleased with the food they’re provided with.

“This is the third year running that our food has been voted the best in the country by our patients, and for that we’re extremely proud, especially as we’ve seen an improvement in our scores. Our aim this year was to score at least an 8 out of 10 – and we’ve just passed that, which we’re delighted about.

“It’s a real team effort from all of the catering staff – we contact patients ahead of them coming into hospital to check their dietary requirements and do everything we can to give them what they want and need.

“We use high quality local and seasonal ingredients where possible, and our menus are agreed in association with our dietician.”

The Trust has come out top for the quality of its food for 12 out of the last 13 years.

RJAH received high scores in most sections of the Adult Inpatient Survey 2017, being ranked second place for patients’ confidence and trust in the doctors and nurses treating them, as well as cleanliness scoring well – with the hospital’s wards and rooms being rated as second cleanest in the country.

Overall patient experience saw RJAH come joint second – with a score of 9.1.