THE manager of John Radcliffe Hospital's main cafe has praised his 80-strong team of volunteers after scoring the top food hygiene rating.

The League of Friends cafe on level 2 of the Headington hospital previously had a four-star rating but used the Oxford Mail's recent Scores on the Doors articles for inspiration.

Cafe manager David Simpson said city council training and the willingness of his team made it all possible.

He said: "We have adopted a hazard analysis plan with the help of the city council that makes sure we record and check everything and give attention to detail – that has been the main difference.

"The West Wing League of Friends scored five a few months ago and I put the Oxford Mail article up in the cafe to push the team on."

He added: "I have done a lot of printing and the walls are painted with sheets of paper reminding people of what they should do at every stage of food preparation and serving.

"The actions of the staff were not the main problem before but everyone is delighted to finally have that five-star rating."

The volunteers work up to three four-hour shifts each week, heating, storing and preparing food for around 500 patients and visitors each day.

Mr Simpson, 62, said the location and therefore typical customer at the cafe made the team's job crucial.

He said: "It's incredibly important that we get things right here.

"Most of people who come to us are patients in the hospital and are likely to have weaker immune systems – especially the older patients.

"In the women's centre as well we are catering for pregnant mothers or those with young children."

Much of the cafe’s produce comes from Nash’s Bakery, which has five shops across the county, all of which are rated either four or five stars.

Staff on the JR site also serve soups and bacons rolls.

Mr Simpson, a full-time paid member of the organisation, praised his volunteers and said the mammoth operation was easier than it sounded.

He said: "It's not as difficult as you might think.

"Because they are volunteers, everyone wants to be here and wants to help out and they are all aware of what needs to be done to achieve the best food hygiene every day.

"The highest praise really must go to the amazing volunteers."

The League of Friends Shop in the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre also has a rating of five, as does the cafe in the West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The League of Friends Tea Bar in the Women’s Centre at the John Radcliffe, also run by Mr Simpson and his team, has a four star rating but is due an inspection soon.