Patients have given Maldon hospital food an “ok” score, according to new online ratings.

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, announced hospitals will, for the first time, be ranked on the NHS Choices website for the quality of their food, in a bid to drive up standards.

The data shows how each hospital performs on food quality, choice, if fresh fruit is available, whether the menu has been approved by a dietician, if food is available between meals and the cost.

St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon was rated 89.22 per cent for quality and 90.50 per cent for choice with a food services cost of £9.90 per patient per day.

Nearby Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford was rated “among the worst” for quality with 83.83 per cent, but 96.65 per cent for choice. Food cost was £9.90.

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