FEEDBACK from patients at North Cumbria's hospitals has improved compared to the previous year.

The survey, by the Care Quality Commission, is carried out at all hospitals in the country every year.

During July last year, hundreds of adult in-patients at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary and Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital were asked a total of 63 questions about their care.

The results show North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust improved in 42 of the questions compared to the 2014. Overall it rated 'about the same' as other trusts nationally.

Areas where the trust scored significantly higher than last year included cleanliness of wards, toilets and bathrooms; quality and choice of food; consistency in communications with staff; ability to discuss worries and concerns with staff; having confidence in doctors and nurse; staff taking home or family situations into account when discharging patients; and quick response when pressing call buttons.

Maurya Cushlow, executive director of nursing, said they are pleased with the improvement, but will now strive to use the feedback to improve services further in all areas.

She said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete this survey – feedback of this kind is essential in order to enable us to continue to make improvements.

“I am delighted this year’s survey shows real improvement in so many areas and I am very proud of our staff who have worked so hard to deliver a high standard of care.

"While we will celebrate our results with our staff, we will also be focusing on areas where we still need to improve. Work is already underway to address some areas highlighted, including ensuring patients and their relatives know how to raise concerns.

"We are busy installing posters and postcards in our wards with contact details for our matrons should anybody have any concerns about care they would like to raise.”

Privacy was the only area where the hospitals were rated worse than other trusts - both in the privacy of discussions and examinations.

The hospitals did however rate better than other trusts when it came to delayed discharges - including waits for medicines, to see a doctor or for an ambulance.

All other areas were about the same as other trusts.