The care environment at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust exceeds the NHS national average in all areas, according to the results of the latest Patient-Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) inspection.

The trust scored top marks for condition, appearance, and maintenance across its three hospital sites – Newark Hospital and Mansfield Community Hospital scored 100% for cleanliness with King’s Mill  at 99.8%. The organisation’s food scored over 95%.

The assessments, which take place in all healthcare settings every year, reflect the attitude that every NHS patient should be cared for with compassion, dignity in a clean and safe environment.

Assessments show how the environment supports the provision of care, assessing aspects such as privacy and dignity, food, cleanliness, general building maintenance, and monitors whether the premises are equipped to meet the needs of people with dementia or with a disability.

Louisa Ward, estates and facilities service lead and PLACE facilitator, said: “These fantastic results are testament to the hard work and dedication of all our teams at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. We work in partnership with Medirest, Skanska, and CNH (Vercity), as without everyone working together, we wouldn’t have such a clean, well-maintained, and welcoming environment for our patients. Our colleagues should be extremely proud of the contribution they have made.”

Taking place from September to November each year, the inspection is undertaken by local patient assessors, as well as representatives from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), NHS Digital, Age UK, Trust volunteers, and governors. PLACE assessments specify that 25% of the hospital’s wards must be covered. Eight areas were covered at Mansfield Community Hospital, nine at Newark Hospital and 21 at King’s Mill. At King’s Mill, the inspection took place across 10 wards, eight outpatient departments, and compulsory areas such as the Emergency Department, as well as external grounds and communal areas.