The majority of children and young people who attended hospital as an inpatient or day case patient during the second wave of the pandemic were happy with the care they received.

The results of the 2020 Children and Young People’s NHS Patient Experience Survey reveal what over 27,300 children and young people under the age of 16 and their parents and carers said about the hospital care they received during November 2020, December 2020 and January 2021 – a time when the second coronavirus wave was at its peak and NHS services were facing extreme pressures.

Overall, most children and young people aged eight-15 who took part in the survey said they had been looked after ‘very well’ (73 per cent) while in hospital (compared to 70 per cent who said this in 2018) and 89 per cent felt that the staff looking after them were ‘always’ friendly (87 per cent in 2018).

The majority of children and young people surveyed were also positive about the way in which staff had communicated with them. Nearly 90 per cent reported that staff had talked to them about how they would be cared for, and of those who had an operation or procedure while in hospital, 93 per cent said they received an explanation beforehand about what would happen.

Despite increased visiting restrictions being in place across most hospitals in England during the survey sample months, most parents (95 per cent) said they were ‘always’ able to be with their child as much as they needed to.

While the majority of responses reflect a positive experience, the survey also identified some areas where NHS trusts could improve. Less than half (46 per cent) of children and young people said they were involved ‘a lot’ in decisions about their care and treatment. A similar number of young people surveyed said that there were enough things for them to do in hospital, and over four in 10 said staff did not play or do activities with them.

Ted Baker, CQC’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said: “This is the fourth children and young people’s patient survey since it was first introduced in 2014 and I am pleased to see that once again the feedback received from the majority is largely positive.

“This year’s survey captures a snapshot of the experiences of children and young people who received care in hospital during the height of the second Covid wave. Yet despite the significant challenges faced by services at that time, the results show some encouraging improvements. This is a testament to the efforts of healthcare professionals working tirelessly to provide high quality care in the context of unprecedented pressures.

“The survey does show some areas where children, young people and their parents and carers reported a less positive experience and trusts should examine their individual results to help identify where they may be able to make improvements in care as a result.

“The survey provides a unique insight into children and young people’s experiences of hospital care. Along with our monitoring and inspections, this feedback is crucial to help the NHS enhance the quality of its services for young people.”