Standards are extremely high in Liberton Hospital Catering Services, Edinburgh, St John's Laundry in Livingston, Transport and Portering Service and Catering Services at Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh, the ISO9001:2000 National Quality Audit found.

The audit was the first since NHS Lothian introduced new ways of working as a single system which have delivered benefits for patients.

John Jack, Director of Facilities, NHS Lothian, said:

"We know our staff are hard working and committed to providing a good service and it is great when outside experts come in and provide independent confirmation of the high standards in place in these important areas. Obtaining this continuing registration is a demanding process and all staff involved should be proud of their achievements, particularly as this shows that no-one has taken their eye off the ball as we have moved to a new, more efficient single system."