THE hospital has been rated the cleanest in the region.

It is top of the regional table in the Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment scheme, and is performing above the national average in four out of five categories.

Fiona Sparrow, head of facilities, said: “It reflects well on our housekeepers, hostesses and estates staff who are often overlooked and do not always get the recognition they deserve.

“They are clearly making a significant contribution to improving the patient environment and patient experience, for which I would like to thank them.”

Ms Sparrowwelcomed the inclusion of a dementia category, which looks at what steps hospitals have taken to create an environment that meets the needs of patients with dementia.

An action plan is in place to address the issues.

Esther Quinton, a housekeeper on Langham ward, has been at the hospital for four years and said although she sometimes feels underrated, she gets all the help and support she needs.

She said: “It’s quite challenging, patients can be violent and verbal and it can be quite difficult. But the ward is nice and the nurses are lovely. We help each other out and that’s what it should be about.”