The 2012 PEAT programme will run from 3 January to 23 March 2012 and approximately 1350 NHS and Independent hospitals are expected to participate. Any enquiries should be sent to PEAT@ic.nhs.uk

We anticipate that the results of the 2012 programme will be published in July 2012.

What is PEAT?

Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) is an annual assessment of inpatient healthcare sites in England with 10 or more inpatient beds.

It is a benchmarking tool to ensure improvements are made in the non-clinical aspects of patient care including environment, food, privacy and dignity.

The assessment results help to highlight areas for improvement and share best practice across healthcare organisations in England.

How is PEAT assessed?

PEAT is self assessed and provides a framework for inspecting standards to demonstrate how well individual healthcare organisations believe they are performing in key areas including:

• food
• cleanliness
• infection control
• patient environment (including bathroom areas, lighting, floors and patient areas)
• privacy and dignity.

What are the PEAT scores?

NHS sites and NHS trusts are each given scores from 1 (unacceptable) to 5 (excellent) for standards of environment, food and dignity and privacy within buildings.

The scores demonstrate how well individual healthcare providers believe they are performing in the key areas (such as food, cleanliness, infection control, patient environment, privacy and dignity) .

Who is involved in PEAT assessments?

Assessments are carried out by NHS staff (nurses, matrons, doctors, catering and domestic service managers, executive and non-executive directors, dieticians and estates directors).

Patients, patient representatives and members of the public are also part of this assessment process.