LONDON (AFP) - Patients at NHS hospitals experience wide variations in cleanliness levels despite a concerted bid to eradicate deadly infections such as MRSA and C.Difficile, according to a survey by the Healthcare Commission.

The watchdog questioned almost 76,000 patients in 165 trusts and found that while most are satisfied with the care they received , there were “striking” differences between health trusts in waiting times, mixed-sex wards and food quality.

Those rating their overall care as “excellent” went up from 41 per cent in 2006 to 42 per cent in 2007.

In the best performing trusts, around 80 percent of patients said their room or ward was “very clean”, while just 22 percent were satified with the facilities in the worst NHS trusts.

Around 25 percent of patients said they were lodged in mixed-sex wards when first admitted, but in some of the trusts the figure rose to almost 50 percent.

On the quality of NHS food, just over 50 percent said they were happy while 15 percent rated it as poor.

The survey also noted that 20 percent of patients were unhappy that they did not get enough information about their treatment.

Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said the findings were “encouraging” but warned that “some hospitals are struggling to deliver on some of the basics of hospital care.”

“There are striking variations in performance in key areas. Those performing poorly must learn form those who perform well,” she added.

Campaigners voicing their concerns over the results said that the NHS was failing to show proper respect and dignity to patients.

“These results show the NHS is achieving high levels of patient satisfaction with overall care, but there are unacceptable variations around the country, said Charlotte Potter of Help the Aged.

“Scores in some trusts were worryingly low when it came to being treated with dignity and respect or receiving help with eating - areas of care particularly important to older people,” she added.

Health Minister Ann Keen said that the survey provided “a real insight into what patients think about their care.”

“We will continue to listen to patients and work on those areas where improvements need to continue,” she added.