BARNSLEY Hospital’s children’s and young people’s services have scored positively in a national survey.

The Care Quality Commission’s Children and Young People’s Survey 2024 asked patients receiving care during March, April and May 2024, and their parents or carers, about their experience.

There were a number of key areas at the Barnsley trust where patients and carers reported experience was the best.

These were providing activities for children during hospital stay, taking time to listen to children’s fears or worries and children not feeling bothered by anything in waiting areas.

Areas for improvement were choice and availability of food and hot drinks, and length of wait.

Hospital bosses say that detailed plans are in place to address these including an expanded and improved meal range to be introduced this summer with the trust’s new catering partner.

Sarah Moppett, director of nursing, midwifery and AHPs at the trust, said: “The trust has maintained a consistent performance in the 2024 report, scoring better than most trusts in three key areas.

“Barnsley previously demonstrated a strong performance in the 2020 report and also scored better than expected in a number of key areas.”

Bosses say they have been listening carefully to what its youngest patients and their families said about the quality of care they receive from children’s and young people’s services.

Since the last survey, in 2020, the team has been working hard to help improve patient experience.

Barnsley Hospital Charity has provided new toys and crafts for play and learning and story booklets for children with type one diabetes.

Sarah added: “We know there is more work to do.

“Feedback from surveys such as this are important in guiding how we develop our care and support in future, ensuring we meet the needs of our patients.”