AN OXFORD hospital has been given a clean bill of health after a surprise hygiene inspection.

Following an unannounced visit to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, in Windmill Road, Headington, the Care Quality Commission, CQC, gave the hospital a 100 per cent pass for all areas inspected.

The assessment was based on one visit made last month where the inspection team examined the policies and procedures which were in place to prevent and control infections.

The centre, which has had only one case of MRSA bacteraemia in the past year, improved on last year’s inspection, when it was asked to develop and improve the liaison between members of the hospital’s infection control team and facilities staff who are employed by private contractor G4S Integrated Services.

After assessing the hospital, Debbie Mead, healthcare-associated infection assessments manager, wrote in a report: “Our visit was unannounced so we could see the hospital as a patient or visitor would. I’m pleased to say that the trust had systems for infection prevention and control in place and we did not identify a need for improvement on the inspection.

She added: “This issue is so important to patients. They need to know that everything possible is being done to protect them from these infections.”

Tony Berendt, director of infection prevention and control at the NoC, said: “The feedback received from the inspection was hugely pleasing to hear, and is a tribute to all our staff and the G4S team who work hard to maintain our excellent standards.”

The report also praised hospital staff’s good morale, positive, friendly attitude, and sound knowledge of hygiene procedures.

Chris Elliott, Managing Director, G4S Integrated Services, which provides cleaning, catering and maintenance staff at the NOC, said: “To receive commendation from such a tough inspection is wonderful news and highlights the excellent standards achieved by our team.”