Southport and Ormskirk hospitals are looking for volunteers to help with their annual inspection of patient services.

The Place assessments, Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment, involve local people assessing the hospital environment and how it supports clinical care.

They also assess things such as the privacy and dignity given to patients, food, cleanliness, building maintenance and the environment supports the care of people with dementia.

Corporate matron Claire Beck said: “A good environment matters to patients just as much as the clinical care they receive. That’s why having fresh pairs of eyes take a look is so important to helping us make improvements to them.”

Volunteers must be 18-years-old or older and need to be available for a half-day’s training ahead of the Place assessments. They will take place over two days at both hospitals on the second or third week of October. Expenses are covered including parking, lunch and refreshments.

Interested? Email Facilities Manager Sue Pearson at sue.pearson2@nhs.net or write to her at Southport and Formby District General Hospital, Town Lane, Kew, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 6PN, by Friday 27th September.