TWO wards at Trafford Hospital have been awarded the Elder Friendly Quality Mark in recognition of the support and care provided to older people.

The award recognises a dedication to improving the quality of essential care of older people and good care provision, as identified by patients themselves.

Wards 2 and 4 have bagged the national achievement.

The Quality Mark is run by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and was developed in partnership with organisations including the Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Nursing and British Geriatrics Society.

Patients over the age of 65 have been asked for their feedback on care, including their experiences of comfort, food and drink, support from staff, getting help when needed, and privacy and dignity. Patients have also been asked if they would be happy if a friend or family member was cared for on the ward.

Helen Rogers, acting head of nursing for Trafford Hospitals: “People over the age of 65 make up three quarters of the patients we see here at Trafford Hospitals.

"This award marks our commitment to listening to those patients and consistently seeking to improve the care we provide. We’re delighted that the excellent work of Wards 2 and 4 has been recognised with this national award and will continue to provide an excellent standard of care to this patient group.”

Professor Mike Crawford, director of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Centre for Quality Improvement, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “It’s great to see wards achieving the Quality Mark by improving the care they provide based on feedback from older patients. Wards participating in the programme send an important message about the way they regard patient experience”.