Rest homes celebrate with hygiene scheme

One such is Belle House Rest Home in the Old Town, scored the highest marks of five or “very good” on the ratings scale.

The ratings are based on the findings of the last time Environmental Health Officers inspected the premises to check compliance with food hygiene laws.

RDC chose to be a pilot for the national scheme, which is sponsored by the Food Standards Agency.

Belle House Rest Home is a Britannia Care Home and owner Jackie Brittain said it was “a surprise and nice to have good news” and claims their success is all down to her staff’s hard work and team effort, including long-time cook Paul Marshall and manager Gillian Parsons.

Jackie said: “This is a really important award and I’m very, very proud.”

Jackie joined other top ranked caterers in the area to attend the launch of the scheme at the Town Hall where they were presented with a certificate and medal by RDC chairman Cllr Robert Elliston.

Every catering business in the district has been given a rating under the new initiative. The rating system allows consumers to select the most hygienic food outlets in the area.

The other Bexhill rest homes to score a five rating for hygiene standards and receive certificates were: Bupa Nursing Home (Grosvenor Park); Elizabeth Court Care Home, Frinton House Care Home, Greenwood Care Home, Orchard House Care Home, Rippleside Rest Home, Sandhurst Rest Home, St Vincent’s Rest Home, The Hollies Care Home, Trial-Link Ltd (Jubilee Court Care Home) and Wilton Lodge Care Home.

• For further information visit the website at: www.food.gov.uk/ratings