- Independent hospital
Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital
Assessment report published 29 July 2026
Contents
Ratings - Services for children & young people
Our view of the service
The date of assessment 25 and 26 March 2026.
Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital is an independent hospital within the Nuffield Health group. The hospital offers outpatient and surgical services to adults, alongside a limited range of services for children and young people. The service provides a range of surgical procedures for young people aged 16 to 17 years, following an assessment of their individual care needs. Within outpatient services, consultations are provided to children aged 0 to 3 years. Children and young people aged 3 to 17 years can have access to non-invasive procedures, including phlebotomy and nurse-led interventions such as dressing changes and suture removal. Diagnostic and imaging services for children and young people aged 3 to 17 years, include X-ray and ultrasound. For young people aged 16 to 17 years, additional procedures such as fluoroscopy-guided interventions (this is the use real-time, moving X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) to help doctors perform minimally invasive medical procedures) are available where clinically indicated. Physiotherapy services are also provided for young people aged 16 and 17 years as part of their surgical pathway during their inpatient stay.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, there were 86 outpatient attendances for children and young people aged 0 to 15 years. During the same period, there were 312 attendances for young people aged 16 to 18 years. Surgical procedures for 16–17-year-olds from April 2025 to March 2026 there were 43. Diagnostic and imaging Children and Young People for the timescale of March 2025 to March 2026 represented 1.6% of the total images taken.
We undertook this assessment due to the timescale since the last inspection in 2016. We assessed all quality statements from the safe, effective, responsive, caring and well-led key questions.
Surgery was the core service at this location, and we will refer to this report and outpatients and diagnostic and imaging for more information regarding this location.
We rated the service as good. Staff described a supportive and collaborative culture, underpinned by effective leadership and strong teamwork. Staff understood incident reporting processes and told us that learning was shared across teams. They had access to electronic training resources, and were up to date with mandatory training. However, staff who provided care and treatment to children and younger adults had not completed safeguarding children training to the level set out by national guidance.
Safe:
The service demonstrated a positive learning culture in which staff and patients felt able to raise concerns. Incidents were investigated, and staff understood safeguarding processes to help maintain patient safety. There were sufficient staff with the appropriate skills, qualifications, and experience to deliver safe care. However, staff providing care to children and young people had not completed safeguarding training to the level as set out by national best practice guidance. There was a small, designated area for children in outpatients and younger people undergoing surgery were provided with a single occupancy room.
Effective:
Parents and/or guardians were involved in the assessment of needs of children and young people. Assessments were regularly reviewed and reflected patients’ physical, emotional, communication, and personal care requirements. Outcomes met expected standards. Staff ensured patients and their families understood care and treatment to support informed consent. Care and treatment were delivered in line with current evidence-based guidance.
Caring:
Children, young people, and their parents and/or guardians were treated with kindness, compassion, and respect. Staff maintained privacy and dignity, delivered person-centred care, and responded in a timely manner. Patients and families were given opportunities to ask questions. The service also promoted staff wellbeing.
Responsive:
Children, young people, and their parents or guardians were involved in decisions about care and treatment. The service provided clear and accessible information to support understanding. Patients were encouraged to give feedback, were aware of how to raise concerns, and were confident these would be addressed.
Well-led:
The service demonstrated a positive culture of speaking up, learning, and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable, and supportive, and staff felt able to provide feedback without fear of bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and were supported in their professional development.
People's experience of this service
During the site visit, one child was receiving care. Staff provided clear and age-appropriate explanations of the procedure and offered the child opportunities to ask questions.
Staff demonstrated a caring and responsive approach, remaining attentive to the child’s needs and delivering care in a reassuring and supportive manner throughout.
The child’s parent or guardian was present for the duration of the procedure. Staff supported them to ask questions and ensured they were informed and involved in the process.