A HOSPITAL has been given a one food hygiene rating following an 'unannounced' inspection.

Denbighshire Council’s Food Safety Officers found that a number of fridges located at ward level at Glan Clwyd Hospital were not being managed in compliance with the Food Safety Act.

This has affected the overall Food Hygiene Rating for the Bodelwyddan based hospital, which has been reassessed as one when previously the score was four.

Gill Harris, executive director of Nursing and Midwifery at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: “This inspection has highlighted an issue with the management of a small number of fridges on our wards which are used to store leftover food and drinks for patients. In response, we have already conducted an audit of fridges of this type across the Health Board and have strengthened our processes for checking fridge temperatures.

“I can reassure staff, patients, and the public that there have been no recorded incidents of food or drink related illnesses at Glan Clwyd Hospital and that the in-house catering staff continue to deliver high quality catering services from new, modern kitchens."

Patients are visitors are being asked to help the hospital maintain good food safety by:

Bringing only food which does not need refrigeration or reheating into hospitals

Buying only food or drinks from the hospital café/shops for patients that does not need to be refrigerated or reheated in hospital and

Not bringing takeaway food into hospital.

A spokesperson for BCUHB said: "This score in no way reflects the food or hygiene standards of the catering department or food services Glan Clwyd Hospital."

A re-inspection is expected to take place next month.

After this inspection, BCUHB will be applying to Denbighshire Council for a re-score.

A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson said: “Council officers have attended a meeting with staff from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to discuss the findings of the report. Staff from the health board have outlined what action they have already put in place to resolve some of the issues identified.

"The hospital will be subject to a follow up inspection shortly.”