THE borough's hospital trust has won a prestigious award for the second year in a row.

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been ranked the best acute NHS trust in the country by the Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) programme.

The accolade follows inspections carried out at the trust's Whiston and St Helens hospitals and the new Intermediate Care Unit at Newton Hospital.

The findings revealed the trust was the only acute one in the country which scored 100 per cent for facilities for patients living with a disability and for the hospital buildings' conditions.

It also came out on top in England for cleanliness, food, privacy and dignity, condition of the buildings and facilities for patients living with dementia and patients with disabilities.

Overall, it scored an average of 99 per cent.

Chief executive Ann Marr said: “It is wonderful news that the trust has been named the best acute trust in the country for the second year running and has achieved the highest scores for an acute trust in every area in the latest environment assessments.

"The trust’s staff work extremely hard to maintain the highest standards and these results highlight our commitment to providing high quality care for our patients in excellent facilities.”

PLACE inspect and score all acute and specialist organisations across England.

The assessments are carried out by patients, their representatives and members of the public.