NHS patients in Norfolk and Suffolk are receiving care in top notch environments, according to the results of a survey released  on 18 July 2012.

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust have been awarded ratings of ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in their annual Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) assessments.

PEAT assessments take a closer look at food, cleanliness, infection control and the patient environment such as lighting, floors and bathrooms. They are carried out by NHS staff and produce a score from 1 (unacceptable) to 5 (excellent) for environment, food and dignity and privacy.

Three Trust sites – Northgate Hospital in Great Yarmouth, Chatterton House in King’s Lynn, Carlton Court in Lowestoft and Woodlands in Ipswich – received a rating of ‘Excellent’ for each of the three areas of assessment. The other eight sites received either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ ratings.

Sue Barrett, head of governance, said:

“Giving patients a positive experience when they are in hospital is really important to us. Assessments like PEAT are a useful to help us identify what we are doing well, and where we can make things better. 

“We are really happy with this year’s results – especially for food, which received an ‘excellent’ rating in every one of our 11 inpatient locations. 

“However it is important thing is for us to continue providing such high quality services and building upon the great work that has already been done. 

“PEAT is a self-assessment, which means that staff are encouraged to be extra vigilant and become more aware of the environment they work in. PEAT requires our staff to take a magnifying glass to the place they are responsible for and develop a more holistic approach to mental health care.”