People told us what it was like to be a patient in Castleberg Hospital. They described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. They also told us about the quality and choice of food and drink available. This was because this inspection was part of a themed inspection programme to assess whether older people in hospitals were treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs were met.
The inspection team was led by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector joined by a practising professional and an Expert by Experience, who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.
As part of the inspection process we spoke with four of the five inpatients at the hospital and one relative. We also spoke with members of the Trust management team overseeing Castleberg Hospital. A range of staff members were spoken with on the ward throughout the inspection. We did this to gain the views of patients who received care and treatment, visited the hospital or worked there.
Patients we spoke with were positive about the care and treatment they were receiving. Patients told us they mostly liked the food in hospital and told us there was a choice of meals available to them. Comments included, "There are always options with regard to the food here, they always provide a packed lunch when I have to visit the other hospital for tests' and "I am happy with the set meal times".
Patients told us they liked the staff, they told us they felt staff respected their privacy and dignity. Comments included, "Beautiful people are these carers", 'I have absolutely no complaints about the staff here and the staff are always respectful and polite', 'On the whole the staff are caring and I am happy with the time they have available to spend with me". "This place is brilliant, only a few beds, always a staff nurse or sister around".
Patients told us that they felt safe at the hospital but were not always sure who they would report issues to if they didn't feel safe.
Patients we spoke with were not aware of what their care plans entailed and one patient told us that their religious needs had not been addressed and or provided for.
One patient told us that the staff at the hospital was recording their meals but they were not aware of why the hospital did this.