The James Paget University Hospital has been scored for its cleanliness, food and privacy, dignity and wellbeing of its patients in the PLACE assessment 2013.

Patient-led assessments of the care environment (PLACE) were introduced in April, replacing the old Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) inspections. They apply to any hospital, hospice or day treatment centre providing NHS funded care.

As part of the inspection into the JPH NHS trust, assessments took place at Gorleston and at Lowestoft Hospital.

JPH bosses said both sites have scored highly in three of the four areas inspected.

Whereas trusts were previously given a score from one (unacceptable) to five (excellent), they are now issued with a percentage rating.

The results are used to drive forward areas of improvement from the patients' point of view.

The trust scores for the James Paget University Hospital were:

• Cleanliness - 98.53 per cent.

• Food - 83.08 per cent.

• Privacy, dignity and wellbeing - 93.91 per cent.

• Condition appearance and maintenance - 93.61 per cent.

And for the Lowestoft Hospital:

• Cleanliness - 97.84 per cent.

• Food - 88.47 per cent.

• Privacy, dignity and wellbeing - 70 per cent.

• Condition appearance and maintenance - 84.78 per cent.

Welcoming the percentage scores, JPH director of nursing Liz Libiszewski said: 'We have achieved very good ratings in most categories at our hospitals.

'We work very hard to maintain the environment of our hospitals to ensure they are welcoming, clean and accessible.

'We have also maintained performance in upholding the dignity and respect of our patients, providing high-quality food and ensuring robust food hygiene standards are met.'