The survey of more than 20 wards and departments across South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust - which runs the Lakin Road site - was carried out by a team of hospital staff, including matrons and nurses, and members of the public and patient involvement forum.

Forum member Jackie Prestwich spent two days touring Warwick Hospital in February as part of the mandatory NHS inspection.

She said: "It's a very thorough procedure, you really go through everything.

"It's hard work, but it's in a good cause and we are glad to do it."

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
We'd like to hear your views on this story. You can send us your comments by simply clicking on this email:
This is what I think

More than 70 aspects of wards, including walls, floors, mirrors, curtains, radiators and surfaces were checked for cleanliness.

And the team got to try all the hospital food and drink on offer and rate it for quality, choice, temperature and presentation.

The ability of patients to have privacy and retain their dignity while in hospital was also assessed.

Mrs Prestwich added: "We check to see that patients have got space and places where they can speak in private.

"We also make sure the curtains can be pulled to properly partition off the bays.

"Every time I have tried the hospital food at Warwick it has been very good and I think it is a plus that Warwick has its own kitchen."

Each of the 70 elements was scored out of a maximum of five.

And in the five inspection categories of specific cleanliness, toilet and bathroom cleanliness, environment, access, food service and privacy and dignity, the scores were in the 'good' category of between 75 and 95 per cent.

The overall hospital score was 80 per cent - three points higher than last year.

Trust chief executive Glen Burley said: "We are pleased because it is carried out with independent input from the patients' forum.

"We have invested a lot in deep cleaning the hospital in the last year and it is having results."