A health and social care watchdog found elderly patients at Airedale Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary were being treated with dignity and respect during unannounced inspections.

The spot checks, carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), found patients were also getting enough food and drink to meet their nutritional needs.

The inspections, published today, form part of a national inspection programme of NHS hospitals to asses how well older people are treated during their stay in hospital, with the focus on dignity and nutrition.

Airedale Hospital was visited on April 13 and was found to be meeting all the essential standards of quality and safety reviewed.

Most of the patients spoken to by the team were very positive about their experiences of care and staff had an understanding of the importance of respecting and involving people.

Airedale Hospital was particularly praised for piloting a new scheme to help patients who have memory loss due to dementia.

Debra Fairley, Interim Chief Nurse at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “We welcome the findings of the Care Quality Commission and, while we are delighted with the report, we must never become complacent and we will continue to listen to our patients and their families about what matters to them."

Bradford Royal Infirmary was inspected on April 27 and a spokesman said: “Bradford Teaching Hospitals has been assessed by the Care Quality Commission as meeting the key requirements of elderly patients in hospital when reviewed against criteria for respect and involvement, and meeting patients’ nutritional needs.

“The unannounced inspection in April rated the Foundation Trust as compliant in both areas, reinforcing the high priority we as an organisation place on ensuring elderly patients are provided with appropriate food and drink as well as being able to make decisions about their own care needs."

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