FOOD served to patients at Thornbury and Frenchay Hospitals is excellent, a new study has revealed.

The new rating shows hospital food has improved from good to excellent since 2003-2004.

The new Patient Environment Action Team scores also show that cleanliness at the two hospitals, and Southmead Hospital, all run by North Bristol NHS Trust, is of a good standard.

The PEAT survey is a national requirement carried out annually by patient and trust representatives. All findings are published by the Health Commission.

Simon Wood, director of facilities at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: "These latest PEAT scores are extremely encouraging and I am very proud of what facilities staff have achieved.

"We continue to look at ways to make our hospital food better and conduct regular surveys amongst patients to see what improvements they would like to see.

"Cleanliness is obviously something every trust across the UK is trying to improve and North Bristol NHS Trust has made good progress in doing this - despite the unprecedented levels of infection outbreaks that occurred earlier this year - and will continue to do this throughout the next 12 months."

Reasons for the improvements to food served at the trust's hospitals include the introduction of a range of chef's specials with emphasis on more fresh ingredients and a snack box for patients who have missed one of the normal meals on the ward.

Cleaning and catering staff have received further training and have been given the opportunity to brush up and refresh basic education skills. Around 200 staff have so far completed NVQ courses in cleaning and infection control.