UHNM exceeds national average for care environment in patient-led assessments

University Hospitals of North Midlands has exceeded the national average in areas assessed as part of the latest patient-led assessments of the care environment (PLACE). UHNM scored a near perfect 99.72 % in cleanliness while achieving over 88% in the other six areas of inspection.

The PLACE assessments involve local people, known as patient assessors, who visited both Royal Stoke and County Hospital to assess visually how the environment supports the provision of clinical care. The team inspect things such as cleanliness, food, general building maintenance, privacy and dignity and the specific needs of patients with dementia or with a disability. 

UHNM scored above the national average in all areas that were assessed and the scores follow the high scores that the Trust achieved in 2022.

In their report, assessors said about County Hospital:

“Despite their age buildings are maintained to a very high standard, very clean in all areas inspected, and the standard of decoration high.

“Walking through the communal areas was a really pleasurable experience, they were all clean and well signposted.”

And of Royal Stoke University Hospital, an assessor said:

“The hospital has managed to maintain and improve on their level and standard of cleanliness and also in the maintenance of the fabric of the estate.

“I just want to say thanks for inviting and allowing myself to take part in this year's PLACE inspections, I really appreciate it and feel privileged to take part in inspecting such a great hospital and all the work that goes into it by the staff.”

Lorraine Whitehead, Director of Estates, Facilities and PFI, said:  “It is fantastic to see that overall we have scored higher than the national average across all bar one of the eight categories and only missing that category by an incredibly narrow margin. This is fantastic news and really is testament to everyone’s hard work and commitment towards driving improvements in the care environment and impacting so positively on our patient and staff experience.

“Our special thanks go to our Estates, Facilities and PFI Division staff for the vital part they play every day in supporting the provision of high quality, safe patient care through the standards of the buildings and quality of the services they deliver.”  

The assessments take place every year, and results are published to help drive improvements in the care environment.