MORE blankets or fans are needed to tackle concerns about the temperature in a children’s ward in a hospital.

That is the call of a patient watchdog, which also wants the children’s unit of Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital to increase children and young people’s awareness of food choices for meals.

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen have made the recommendations in a report following a visit to the unit where they spoke to patients and their families.

When asked what changes they would like to see, the most popular comments were about blankets with ‘better blankets’ or ‘blankets at night’ requested. Other changes suggested were “better food.”

Some also said the lighting and temperature was ‘not to their satisfaction.’

Making three recommendations, the report reads: “To supply blankets or fans to ensure mixed responses from children and young people and their families about temperature are acted on.

“To find a suitable more prominent location for the noticeboard with all the staff members and their photographs.

“To increase children and young people’s awareness of other food choices if they don’t want what is on offer.”

But the report praised many aspects of the children’s unit.

This included all of the children and young people asked saying that the staff were very good and responded quickly to them.

They said staff treated them with dignity and respect and were friendly and helpful and found the information that they received from the staff useful.

Children’s ward matron said the trust was delighted that the majority of patients and relatives had a good experience when using their services.

She said: “The trust is extremely grateful to the patients and families who spoke to Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen during their recent visit to the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.

“We welcome all feedback as it helps us ensure we are giving the best care possible to our patients.

“While highlighting a small number of areas for improvement, we were delighted that the majority of patients and relatives had a good experience when using our services.

“The report contained many wonderful comments about our staff.

“We have plenty of blankets for cooler nights, and when it is warm we follow recommended suggestions such as keeping curtains closed, rooms ventilated and providing plenty of fluids to keep our patients hydrated.

“We have to balance cooling methods with infection control and prevention guidance which prohibits the use of fans across all NHS hospital wards.

“The choice of food we offer is regularly reviewed based on the feedback we receive from patients and their families.

“We have had positive comments from patients about both the quality and variety of food offered to the children and young people on the children’s unit.

“We are currently in the process of updating our in-patient staff board which will be placed in a prominent area of the corridor on the children’s unit.

“This will enable patients and families to identify the staff looking after them.”