An inspection of Machynlleth’s Bro Ddyfi Hospital found that improvements were needed in hygienic food handling, leaving the hospital with a food hygiene rating of just two.

But health chiefs have insisted that improvements have been made and following a re-inspection a new rating of four was announced.

The original unannounced inspection found problems with food handling, including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage and rated it as “improvement necessary”.

The inspection rated both the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building and management of food safety as “generally satisfactory”.

A health board spokesperson said following the May inspection, improvement work had been undertaken.

They said: “A routine unannounced environmental health inspection visit to Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital, Machynlleth, found some shortfalls in food hygiene standards.

“Powys Health Board adopts a zero tolerance to any shortfalls in these standards and has a commitment to take improvement steps immediately.

“The work to achieve this has now been completed fully and a re-inspection visit by Environmental Health has taken place.

“The outcome of that re-inspection is awaited, but our ambition is that the hospital score will be re-assessed as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. During the remedial work, additional steps were taken to ensure the delivery of food services standards remained safe.”

They added that the re-inspection had noted the improvements made.

They said: “I am happy to confirm that the re-assessment has resulted in an improved rating of four.”

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