AIREDALE Hospital is offering an opportunity for volunteers to take part in assessments of its care environment to see how well it is meeting patients' needs.

The Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) take place every year, and the latest are due to be staged in May.

Volunteers look at cleanliness, quality of food and drinks, the condition of the buildings, how well the buildings meet patient requirements and how well they support those with dementia or a disability.

Anyone who uses the hospital can become an assessor including patients, relatives and carers, friends or patient advocates or trust members.

An Airedale NHS Foundation Trust spokesman explained: "The assessments are ‘patient-led’ to ensure patients’ views are given the highest priority. The aim is to highlight good practice and also indicate where improvements are needed.

"No specialist knowledge or experience is needed and training will be given for anyone interested in the role which involves a training session and two half-day assessments.

"Refreshments will be provided and parking and travel costs reimbursed. The assessment days will involve lots of walking around the hospital, although the trust can make adjustments for anyone with disabilities."

Rita Oddy, head of facilities at the trust, said: “These assessments aim to look at what matters most to our patients. It puts patient wishes at the centre and it wouldn’t happen without them. We look forward to hearing from anyone who wants to make a difference.”

Visit the "How to get involved" section of the trust website, e-mail rita.oddy@anhst.nhs.uk or call 01535 294549 for more details.