A group established to strengthen the voice of patients in the health and social care sector has returned a mainly positive verdict on an Airedale General Hospital ward.

Representatives from Healthwatch Bradford and District paid a short visit to ward one. The group’s chief executive, Andrew Jones, emphasised that this had not been an inspection and was only a snapshot of the work that goes on in this part of Airedale.

Reporting to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s board, he said: “Overall, the feedback we received from our three representatives was very positive, though inevitably there were some issues.

“This isn’t just about looking for problems. If people say to us that the service is brilliant then it’s also about sharing that best practice.”

He highlighted the importance of being able to communicate with patients who might not have English as their first language, noting that people with dementia often reverted to their first language.

He added that further feedback from ward one indicated patients and carers did not always know to whom they could speak about a particular healthcare issue and it was not always easy for them to explain problems to busy staff.

However, Mr Jones said they appreciated the hospital’s flexible approach to visiting times and described the ward’s staff as committed and caring.