Airedale Hospital has received a clean bill of health for its standards of food and hygiene.

A report by the Department of Health says that Airedale NHS Trust has achieved the highest standard of cleanliness and meals.

The Steeton trust has been judged on the DOH traffic light scale as a green hospital, which almost always meets and generally exceeds patient expectations.

As part of the Clean Hospital and Better Hospital Food programme, the DOH inspects and reports on the patient environment and food services in each hospital.

The traffic light ratings are the results of assessments in a range of areas that patients and visitors say are important to them, including wards, reception and waiting areas, corridors and toilets.

Richard Fisher, head of commercial services, said: "This national recognition of our high standards in the cleanliness of the hospital and the food we provide is a credit to our staff.

"They are a dedicated and specialist team who work extremely hard to make the patient's stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

"Our cleaning team has already won the national Golden Service award for best in-house cleaning team in healthcare, and is a finalist for this years NHS Estates Clean Hospital Award.

"With hospital food, our aim has been to provide our patients with more choice and higher quality food."

The Steeton hospital provides drinks and light refreshments around the clock and snack boxes are now given to patients who miss main meal times or feel like eating something lighter.

Cakes and biscuits are provided twice daily and snacks are available 24 hours a day in an effort to make the experience more like being at home, rather than only receiving only three main meals a day, said Mr Fisher.

All patients have the opportunity to comment on the catering service by completing the questions on the reverse of the menu card each meal times.

Airedale was in the first wave of 72 trusts to have a ward housekeeping service in place and in three years has gone from providing hostesses on two wards to 14 wards.

The trust has been allocated £50,000 in recognition of its development of housekeeping services, which will be used to further develop the service.

Mr Fisher added: "Research shows that the environment in which food is eaten and more social interaction at meal times, affects the food patients eat.

"We are therefore working closely with Ward 6, our elderly medical ward, to promote protected meal times for our patients, the key aim being that meal times are special times and free from unnecessary interruptions."

Health Minister Lord Warner said: "Airedale NHS Trust has made great progress in ensuring that patients are treated in the cleanest possible environment and are served high quality food.

"I am impressed by the steps staff have taken to provide patients with appetising meals and refreshments throughout the day.

"The introduction of ward hostesses, to help patients at meal times, is particularly welcome as are the moves to introduce protected meal times for elderly patients.

"The cleaning staff at Airedale are also to be congratulated for their care and attention in maintaining such high standards of cleanliness"