OKEHAMPTON?S new hospital has come in for praise in a report by independent assessors.

The report by the independent Healthcare Commission praised the Mid Devon Primary Care Trust, which covers the Okehampton area.

Okehampton Community Hospital was found to be ?clean, tidy and well equipped? and the report went on to note there are curtains for privacy, adequate fire doors and alcohol dispensers to reduce the spread of infection, in all the community hospitals.

Mid Devon Health boss Lesley Dunaway welcomed the report, which praised Mid Devon for its work in developing initiatives which allow patients to have a say on the health services they receive.

Mrs Dunaway said: ?There is tremendous value to these external reviews because they bring an independent view of the work we have been doing.

?I am particularly pleased that the inspectors have found so much that is good because it is reassuring to our patients and the community we serve.?

The trust was also congratulated by the commission on its patient information pack, which helps patients find their way around local NHS services and the PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) was described in the report, as ?widely advertised and promoted, and valued by staff and general practitioners?.

The inspectors also noted there have been improvements for patients following PALS intervention.

The trust?s development of positive links with voluntary organisations and with Devon social services was also praised by inspectors.

Deaths in the Mid Devon area from lung cancer and pneumonia are reported as significantly lower than the national average for England and Wales, and the commission says that examples of significant success for the trust includes:

l Access to health service

l Waiting times

l Safe, high-quality co-ordinated care.

The trust did well against 37 national performance indicators with 13 above or significantly above average and just six below average.

Immunisation and vaccination rates in Mid Devon are also described as ?good? with higher than average results in three of four performance level indicators.

Mrs Dunaway added: ?We are delighted with the Commission?s report which, in addition to highlighting our good work and agreeing with us where we need to do more, has praised our staff for their hard work.

?We are committed to our community and will continue to develop local health services which meet their needs.?