People told us what it was like to be a patient in St George’s 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 second CQC inspector, practising professional and an expert by experience, who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

We inspected two wards providing an inpatient assessment and treatment service for older people over the age of 65 years. We spoke with 16 people who were receiving a service, two representatives and eight staff from different disciplines. People shared positive experiences about the care, treatment and support they received. They said they were treated with dignity and respect and that staff responded to their needs.

People told us they enjoyed the meals and were able to eat their meals where they preferred. Some people said they would like a greater choice of sandwiches. Staff were aware of people’s individual needs and they provided assistance for people in ways that were right for them.

People told us they felt safe at the hospital. One person commented, “The staff treat me well”. The majority of interactions seen throughout our inspection were positive enabling people to feel secure and reassured. When people became anxious or distressed staff were quick to respond and reassure them. Staff had received training in keeping people safe and demonstrated an understanding of the different forms of abuse and knew the procedure to follow if they suspected abuse.

There were good levels of staffing available on the two wards we inspected. People we spoke with considered there was generally enough staff on duty to meet their needs. Staff were confident that numbers and skill mix could be changed in order to meet any changing circumstances of people’s care. Where a person required additional support or supervision this was provided.

People’s records we sampled were kept securely but did not always reflect the knowledge that staff had about the needs of individuals within their care. The trust had already identified this as an area requiring improvement.