Enter and view: Royal Blackburn Hospital Children's Ward

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen Enter and View representatives conducted an unannounced Enter and View visit at the Children’s Unit, Royal Blackburn Hospital on Tuesday 13 March 2018 at 2 pm to 3.30 pm to collect views directly from children and young people, parents/guardians/family members and staff on their experiences of Children’s unit. Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen spoke to 5 children and young people, 13 parents/guardians/family members and 7 staff members and undertook 5 observations.

The key findings were: All of the children and young people, parents/guardians/family members felt the Children’s Unit met their son/daughter/relatives specific individual needs. All of the children and young people said that the staff were very good, responded quickly to them, treated them with dignity and respect, were friendly and helpful and found the information that they received from the staff useful. All of the parents/guardians/family members and staff described the Children’s Unit as good, very good or excellent. All of the parents/guardians/family members said that they would be able to approach the staff with any concerns and be confident that they would be listened to. All staff said that they had an appraisal every 12 months.

Recommendations were: To supply blankets or fans to ensure mixed responses from children and young people and their families about temperature are acted on. To find a suitable more prominent location for the notice board with all the staff members and their photographs. To increase children and young people’s awareness of other food choices if they don’t want what is on offer.