A HEALTH watchdog in Bradford has expressed its disappointment following a Care Quality Commission survey about the experiences of child patients.

As reported by the Telegraph & Argus yesterday, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was told it must improve after being included in a survey of 137 health trusts.

A spokesman for Healthwatch Bradford and District said: "It’s disappointing that Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is performing worse than expected in the CQC survey, and we hope this will help the Trust identify action that needs to be taken.

"We know they are already working to gather more feedback from children and young people about their experience."

Meanwhile, parents of child patients at Airedale Hospital felt their children's experience had been good overall.

Staff kept parents and carers informed and communicated with young patients in a way they could understand, the CQC found.

Rob Dearden, director of nursing at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are pleased that the parents of children who use our hospital rate us highly and feel as though their child had a good overall experience.

"Although we are performing about the same or better than many trusts, this survey still highlights areas for improvement which we will be looking at closely, including the facilities for parents or carers to stay overnight."