THE Ridgeway Hospital in Wroughton was presented with a certificate for its care of patients.

The Health Quality Service Certificate of Accreditation, presented by Swindon mayor David Cox, is a quality improvement tool in which standards are written that allow an organisation in the health sector to measure total quality capability in all areas of patient care.

The quality of staff, services and quality capability for clinical effectiveness are also measured.

Sheila Maslin, executive director for the Ridgeway Hospital, which is part of the BMI Healthcare group, said: "We are committed to quality care for all of its patients and are very proud to have achieved this prestigious accreditation."

The Ridgeway Hospital opened in 1984. It is a leading provider of healthcare services throughout the UK.

Equipped with the latest technology, BMI hospitals perform more complex surgery than any other independent healthcare provider in the country.

"Our commitment is to quality and value, providing facilities for advanced surgical procedures together with friendly, professional care," said Mrs Maslin.

Forty three of BMI's 44 hospitals have now achieved Health Quality Service Accreditation.