FOOD hygiene is no longer considered ‘unacceptable’ at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital (GWH), as inspectors upgraded the facility to the top five-star rating.

Carillion, a corporate services company, is contracted for the catering at the hospital and claims to have boosted its management team and improved checks and training following previously scathing reviews of its standards.

The company are hired by hospital owners Semperian and were the recipients of much criticism last year, not only for their poor food hygiene, but also for their services cleaning the wards in the hospital.

Kevin McNamara, director of strategy at Great Western Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, said: “We expect the highest standards from Carillion in all the services they provide to our patients, visitors and staff and were clearly disappointed with the rating last year.

“We’re pleased to see that improvements have been made and we will continue to work closely with Carillion to ensure they maintain the highest standards of food hygiene.”

A Carillion spokesperson said: “Carillion is pleased to have achieved a five-star rating by the Environment Health Officer for its food service at the GWH.

“We were disappointed with the one-star EHO rating a year ago and took immediate action to improve.

“We have made a number of changes in a short space of time, focusing on the processes and controls around the way food is prepared, so patients and the Trust can be confident about the safety and quality of the food we serve.

“This has included giving additional training to staff and investing in new equipment.

“Working closely with the Trust and having listened to feedback from patients, we have also changed the menu and increased the range of choice available.”

“Carillion remains committed to delivering the highest possible standards for patients at the hospital."

The Malmesbury League of Friends support a number of causes at GWH, including a recent donation of £25,000 to a campaign to have a radiotherapy treatment centre at the hospital.

David Hide, vice-chairman of Malmesbury League of Friends, was pleased to hear of the improvements.

“We support the very highest standards of hygiene and welcome their improved rating,” he said.

“We have supported the GWH in the past and will continue to do so when suitable needs are identified.”