A HOSPITAL has been rated as 'excellent' following a rigorous assessment.

St Margaret's Hospital in Epping was awarded the grade across all three categories in the annual inspection and received the highest rating for environment, food and privacy.

The Patient Environment Action Team assess inpatient healthcare sites and awards scores from one (unacceptable) to five (excellent).

It aims to improve standards in the non-clinical aspects of a patient's healthcare experience and highlights areas of improvement across the NHS.

Phil Wing, lead nurse with NHS West Essex community health service said: “We are very pleased to have scored so well in this assessment. This is down to the continuing commitment and hard work of our staff.

"We are determined to maintain the highest standards for all our patients.”