The inspection team included a pharmacist inspector. We inspected two children's wards, the pharmacy, a post operation ward and three inpatient wards. We spoke with 19 people who use the service, four visitors and 56 members of staff.

Most patients were satisfied with their care and treatment. They told us that these had been explained and that they were involved in their treatment. They said that their privacy and dignity was maintained. This was confirmed by the staff we spoke with and the records we viewed.

Most patients told us that they had access to their own medication and staff supported them with this when required. The hospital ensured medication was administered appropriately, however we found it was not always stored correctly.

Patients told us they were generally happy with the environment of the hospital but some commented that the premises were "restrictive" and "in need of repair". The environment was not suitably designed to meet the needs of patients.

Patients were happy with the staff who cared for and treated them. We found that staff appropriate recruitment checks were carried out on staff before they worked with patients.

There were opportunities for patients to give feedback regarding their care and treatment. The Trust undertook regular checks and audits to ensure it was providing safe care and treatment.

Patients told us that they were treated with respect and their dignity was maintained.

They said that they were involved in decisions about their care and that staff answered their questions and supported their decisions.

One patient said “the consultant explained the options available to me and gave me time to make my decision”.

Patients told us they felt safe in the hospital and were able to raise any concerns with staff. Patients were very complimentary about all staff working in the trust. Their comments included:

“They are marvellous, I cannot say enough about them”; “They (the staff) never sit down” and “they are all very good”.

Our rating of services improved. We rated it them as good because:

We rated safe requires improvement and effective, responsive, caring and well led as good.

• Medicine went down to good from outstanding.
• We rated outpatients as good. We previously inspected outpatients jointly with diagnostic imaging so we cannot compare our new ratings directly with previous ratings.
• Services for children and young people went up to good from requires improvement.
• Surgery remained at the same rating of good.