The top nurse of Oxfordshire's largest hospital trust has apologised to NHS watchdogs after they were banned from inspecting ward kitchens.

Elaine Strachan-Hall, nursing director at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, has publicly welcomed the ORH patient and public involvement forum (PPIF) after members were prevented from visiting food preparation areas.

Members of the voluntary group visited Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital in July after asking to see kitchens which had been a "source of concern" during a previous inspection.

Both areas are overseen by Carillion, the private firm which runs hospital catering.

After a pre-arranged visit in February, PPIF members said the Level Five kitchen had broken crockery on the floor and food debris on trolleys.

On the same day, they were told the Level Six kitchen was out of bounds to NHS staff, and despite attempts by phone to gain entry, the inspection team had to observe from the door.

Concerned about their findings, the forum made another appointment to see the same two kitchens in July. But neither was in normal use, because their dishwashers had been condemned.

Although the forum report did highlight improvements in cleanliness in the two kitchens, it added: "Forum members asked to visit the kitchen on Level Three, which was being used for washing up, as those on Levels Five and Six were not in use. We were not allowed to do this as we had not indicated this in advance."

PPIF chairman Jacqui Pearce-Gervis said: "We were under the impression that in our role as a PPIF we were allowed to inspect any hospital areas without warning."

Following their complaints, PPIF members have now been told they can have access to kitchens.

Miss Pearce-Gervis said: "The director of nursing said that in her view the trust should have been more flexible, and has apologised."

Speaking to Oxfordshire NHS watchdog, the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Ms Strachan-Hall said: "The trust values the work the forum does, and I am glad this minor misunderstanding, which was due to issues of notice, has been resolved.

"Together, we now have an agreement for a go-anywhere inspection of our kitchens."