A NORTH Yorkshire health team have won a triple accolade.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has been rated "excellent" for its site environment, cleanliness, food and privacy and dignity, in an annual NHS survey.

The Patient Environment Action Team survey involved both Harrogate District Hospital site and its Lascelles Younger Disabled Unit. Both received an "excellent" rating in all categories.

Director of estates and facilities Steve Warren said: "We are absolutely delighted to be rated excellent in all categories by this important panel, made up of both users of our services and those who work here.

"The environment in which people are cared for and work is extremely important in speeding the recovery of patients and also in making our staff feel happy at work."

He added: "We also recognise that privacy and dignity is at the core of patient care and whilst hospital food may traditionally be the butt of jokes, here our outstanding catering team do a great job at ensuring we provide high quality, nutritious and tasty meals for patients, their friends and relatives, and our staff alike."