Enter and View: The Children's Ward at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury

Healthwatch Oxfordshire made an Enter and View visit to the Children's Ward at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury in September 2025. This visit was part of a programme of visits to a range of services within Oxfordshire. 

During this visit Healthwatch Oxfordshire spoke to four children and family members and four staff members plus one student.

Key findings

• Clear and welcoming signage guided visitors from the main reception to the ward.
• Visiting hours were clearly displayed, including guidance on overnight stays and expectations for other visitors.
• A wide range of patient and parent information was available, including staff details, health information, condition‑specific leaflets and feedback displays.
• There were no translated materials available, and no information on how to access an interpreting service or use a hearing loop. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report was not displayed.
• The ward environment was clean, well‑equipped and spacious.
• Staff were warm, friendly and supportive.
• Facilities included a staff rest room with extensive information boards and a parents’ waiting room with books, toys and a television.
• Indoor and outdoor play areas were available for children.
• Patients and parents praised staff for their care and support, though parking difficulties and outdated payment machines continued to cause delays and frustration.
• Staff reported feeling well‑supported in their training and development.

Recommendations

In its report, Healthwatch Oxfordshire made the following recommendations to OUH:

• Provide translated materials so that all patients, regardless of their primary language, can access essential information.
• Clearly display information on how to access interpreting services.
• Install hearing loops in the ward to improve accessibility for patients with hearing impairments.
• Provide more comfortable chairs for parents staying overnight.
• Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), which runs the hospital, should continue to prioritise improvements to parking and transport to ensure sufficient, accessible spaces for all hospital visitors.
• Display the Care Quality Commission (CQC) report in line with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2028.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire sent its report and recommendations to OUH. The Head of Patient Experience replied with a detailed response and action plan setting out how the trust intends to make the suggested improvements.