A hospital has become the first in Scotland not to have to take action after a visit from inspectors.

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) praised staff at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow for the "high level of cleanliness" found when it visited.

For the first time ever, the HEI has not made any requirements or recommendations for improvement.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said the report showed the system of scrutiny from inspections was "driving improvements" in the NHS.

He has now urged other health boards to consider how they can deliver similar standards.

The HEI was set up in April 2009 and carries out at least 30 inspections of hospitals a year, most of which are unannounced.

During a visit to the Victoria Infirmary in November, the inspectors found "good standards of cleaning across all the wards and departments inspected", including in "hard to reach areas such as underneath beds and curtain rails".

Chief inspector Susan Brimelow said the Victoria Infirmary had made "significant improvements" after an earlier inspection in July last year, when dirty patient equipment was found on a ward for the elderly.

Ms Brimelow added that after the most recent visit, "all wards and departments inspected were clean and staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities in terms of infection prevention and control". She said: "We will continue to inspect the Victoria Infirmary to ensure a high level of cleanliness is maintained and the outstanding requirement met."

Mr Neil praised staff in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, saying: "I hope that other NHS boards will look at this report and consider how they can work to deliver such standards of quality and safety for patients across the country."