NHS Estates has apologised for an error that saw Malvern Community Hospital wrongly branded one of the dirtiest in the country.

The hospital's cleanliness was described as 'poor' in a government report two weeks ago.

The Department of Health has since admitted standards at the hospital were acceptable and that information given to media was wrong.

Mike Ridley, chief executive of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, has received a letter from Graham Jacob, of NHS Estates, apologising unreservedly for the error.

The letter said: "As the official responsible for checking the final list, this was my error and one which should not have happened. I deeply regret any embarrassment caused to the trust and the staff who have, I am aware, worked to improve the position at this hospital since the initial PEAT assessment."

Mr Ridley said the letter goes some way towards redressing the publicity attracted by the report.

This was published only two days after a cleaner at the hospital, Jean Thomas, was named employee of the year by the trust.

Pat Merrick, chairman of the Malvern Community Hospital League of Friends, said she was "absolutely disgusted" by the mistake.

"It's absolutely spotless that place and they go to such trouble to keep it clean," she said.

"The only good thing is that a lot of people who use the hospital have told us not to take any notice. They think it's a wonderful hospital."

Mrs Merrick was concerned that, after the report, the trust was costing a number of alterations to the hospital including covering the parquet flooring and buying new chairs, blinds and curtains.

"If they're going to spend money, it does make you wonder how committed they are to building a new hospital in Malvern," she said.

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