Royal Stoke and County hospitals rated among UK’s best for cleanliness and facilities
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust’s (UHNM) two hospitals, the Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford, are among the best in the country for cleanliness, food and disability access, latest figures show.
Both hospitals scored above the national average in NHS England's 2025 Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) for the third year in a row.
PLACE inspections involve local patient representatives visiting hospitals to assess standards of cleanliness, building maintenance, disability access and ward food.
Patient assessors who completed the inspections found the Royal Stoke to be “clean and tidy overall, and despite being very busy, Royal Stoke provides a calm and comfortable environment for patients with positive first and lasting impressions.”
Whilst at County Hospital the facilities are “clean, well maintained, and organised areas provide a peaceful environment for the delivery of excellent patient care.”
Lorraine Whitehead, director of estates, facilities and PFI at UHNM, said: “Achieving above national average scores across our services for the third year running is an outstanding achievement.
“Our Estates, Facilities and PFI colleagues, including our cleaners, porters, maintenance teams, gardeners, catering teams and many others play an absolutely vital role in the running of our hospitals. Their work is often behind the scenes, but its impact is felt by every single patient and colleague who walks through our doors.
“From keeping our buildings safe and well maintained, to providing a clean, welcoming environment, a hot meal, or a helping hand at just the right moment, their contribution shapes the patient experience in ways that cannot be overstated.
“Working hand in hand with our clinical teams, they bring dedication, pride and compassion to everything they do. I am incredibly proud of their hard work and commitment, and this result is a testament to the professionalism and heart they bring to UHNM every day.”
The cleanliness of the Royal Stoke University Hospital received a score of 99.84 per-cent, higher than the national average of 98.55 per-cent.
Ruth Freeman, business director for Sodexo Health & Care at Royal Stoke said: “It’s fantastic to see our efforts recognised in this year’s scores.
"Maintaining a clean and safe environment for our patients is our top priority, and I’m proud of the whole team for their dedication and hard work in achieving this result.”
The condition, maintenance and appearance of County Hospital scored 99.27 per-cent, compared to the national average of 97.00 per-cent.
Steve Brown, senior estates manager at County Hospital, said: “These scores are a real testament to the dedication and professionalism of our estates and facilities teams.
"Maintaining a well-presented, safe and welcoming environment is essential for patient care, and I’m proud of everyone’s hard work in achieving results above the national average.”