People told us what it was like to be a patient in Harrogate District 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 further three CQC inspectors, a practising professional and an Expert by Experience, who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

Patients told us that their nutritional needs and dietary preferences were well met. They gave positive feedback about the quality, range and availability of food.

They told us that staff were very kind and caring and that they felt their privacy and dignity was protected during their hospital admission.

We did not speak to people who used this service as part of this review. We looked at a random sample of medical records. This was to check that current practice ensured that no treatment for the termination of pregnancy was commenced unless two certificated opinions from doctors had been obtained.

We visited Harrogate District Hospital on two separate days. Our inspection team consisted of three teams of two people; two teams of compliance inspectors visiting wards and a team of intelligence and evidence officers who spoke with staff who have trust wide responsibilities and reviewed documents.

All of the people who use the service told us that they were satisfied with the quality of services and were complimentary about the direct care they received from all of the care staff. The words they used to describe the service were “brilliant”, “you can’t fault it”, and “superb”. People felt their privacy and dignity had been respected by staff and that staff explained things in a way they could understand. They told us staff were helpful and kind. If they required help it was offered promptly and all felt they could talk to the staff and were confident that staff listened to their worries or concerns and responded appropriately.

People had been provided with the relevant information to enable them to understand the care and treatment choices available and where appropriate they had been involved in decisions relating to their care or treatment. Those who had come into hospital through accident and emergency described prompt and attentive care and treatment.

• We inspected Surgery and rated the service outstanding. The rating for safe improved to good. The rating for well led improved to outstanding.
• We inspected services for Children and Young People and rated the service as good. The ratings for safe and well-led improved to good.