East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, together with Eastbourne DGH, came in the bottom 10 health trusts nationally in terms of satisfaction with food, with 22 per cent criticising it.

But the trust scored well on other things and saw improvements such as patients' view on the time spent on being admitted to the ward, having the risks and benefits of their operation explained, and help with eating meals.

The survey was carried out by the Healthcare Commission as part of its Annual Health Check of health trusts.

Questions that received the best scores from patients included the amount of privacy given when being examined and treated, explanation of pain control by anaesthetists, patients being treated with dignity and respect and the patients' confidence in doctors and nurses.

David Philliskirk, director of estates and facilities, said: "The trust is disappointed in the feedback from this national patient survey which was conducted back in July 2007 and has just been published this week, and in particular the rating received for hospital food.

"We regularly audit patients on our food service issuing up to 200 questionnaires per month.

"Overall feedback is positive, with results from surveys conducted over the last two months showing that more than 94 per cent of patients responding confirming that the food quality was acceptable, very good or excellent, with more than 80 per cent reporting that they were happy with the choice available.

"These findings are also supported by a survey completed by the Patient and Public Involvement Forum in February which showed that only seven per cent of those questioned found the food to be not satisfactory.

"All our menus are prepared with input from the hospital dieticians, guidance from the Department of Health and the Better Hospital Food programme, and the food is produced centrally by our in house team of chefs from fresh ingredients.

"Following the publication of these survey results we will be reinforcing our regular audits of standards and we would encourage all patients to report instances when the food does not meet their expectations.

"The catering team are always willing to visit patients in their wards to discuss any problems or concerns they may have including any special dietary needs.

"We will also be embarking on a series of site visits to hospitals that have received the highest food ratings nationally to see how we can improve our service still further."