- Independent hospital
St Hugh's Hospital
Assessment report published 24 March 2026
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic imaging
Our view of the service
Safe:
The service had a good learning culture and information was shared across all departments and staff. People were protected and staff understood how to safeguard people. Staff could raise concerns and were listened to. Learning was shared throughout the organisation and across the wider hospital group.
The facilities and equipment were clean, well-maintained and met the needs of people. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications, and experience. Staff had appraisals and could access training. This enabled them to meet the ongoing requirements of their patient group.
Effective:
Staff involved service users when assessing their needs. They reviewed assessments, taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Multidisciplinary team healthcare professionals reviewed patients to ensure they could receive their treatment. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment, which enabled them to give informed consent.
Caring:
People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated people as individuals and supported their preferences. Staff were welcoming and approached people in a caring way. The service supported staff health and wellbeing through a wellbeing online platform.
Responsive:
People were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information people could understand. The service sought feedback from people and acted on it. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equal care and treatment.
Well-led:
Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable, and supportive. Staff were given opportunities to develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback through both leaders and freedom to speak up mechanisms. There was good governance in place which provided assurance on risk and the patient experience. The culture embraced new ideas and encouraged staff contribution.
We assessed the diagnostics service as part of a comprehensive hospital location assessment on 9 and 10 December 2025. This was because the service had not been rated since 2019. We had previously rated it requires improvement overall.
We spoke to five staff members both clinical and non-clinical. All were very positive about working for the service and the hospital overall.
The service worked well with other departments supporting orthopaedic surgery and the outpatients clinic.
At our last inspection, we were not assured the service were compliant to meet all Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRM)(ER). These regulations keep people safe when undergoing treatment which exposes them to radiation. This had since been addressed, and compliance against the regulations were now embedded in the service.
People's experience of this service
People were positive about the service. They told us staff treated them with warmth, kindness and provided effective care and treatment. They told us their care and treatment was person-centred, individual to them and met with their needs and preferences. They said they received appointments quickly and staff were polite and professional. Staff explained patients’ treatment, so they understood the plan of care.