- Independent hospital
Nuffield Health Derby Hospital
Assessment report published 31 July 2026
Contents
Ratings - Surgery
Our view of the service
We carried out a comprehensive inspection of surgery on 25 March 2026 due to aged ratings. The service had not been inspected since 2016 and was previously rated as good. We inspected all quality statements across the five key questions: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
The service offered a range of surgical procedures including orthopaedic and gynaecology procedures for NHS and self funding patients. The hospital has 2 laminar flow orthopaedic operating theatres (specialised operating theatres designed to keep the air clean using a continuous flow of filtered air), 1 standard operating theatre and four recovery bays. There is 1 ward with 38 private ensuite rooms.
Nuffield Health Derby treated a small number of children between the ages of 16 and 18. These patients are assessed by the Pre-assessment Team & deemed appropriate for care to be delivered on an adult pathway. The service is supported by another Nuffield Hospital that provides a children’s service and would be contacted for advice should any concerns arise re appropriateness of the patient being treated on an adult pathway and further assessment done. The quality of care and treatment of children aged between 16 and 18 years of age undergoing surgical procedures was not reviewed as part of the inspection of surgery.
Leaders were highly capable and had fostered a positive, shared culture where staff were well supported to deliver person‑centred care. The service had comprehensive and effective systems of governance that enabled leaders to quickly respond to information about risk and work collaboratively with other stakeholders. We also observed warm compassionate clinical interactions between staff and patients that were delivered in a clean and mostly safe environment.
However, we found a breach of the legal regulation in relation to safe care and treatment which related to the management of medicines. This was raised with the provider on the day of inspection and they took immediate action to begin to rectify this.
Safe:
The service demonstrated a strong learning culture where both staff and patients felt able to raise concerns. Managers carried out thorough investigations into incidents, ensuring lessons were learned and improvements were identified and shared with staff. Patients were kept safe because staff understood local safeguarding procedures and followed established safe working practices.
There were enough staff with the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience across departments, wards and theatres to deliver high quality care and treatment. Managers ensured staff received the necessary training and regular appraisals to maintain high standards.
Staff handled medicines safely and responded promptly to any unexpected deterioration in a patient’s condition. They were aware of environmental risks and managed them effectively. Facilities and equipment met patient needs, were clean and well maintained, and any identified risks were addressed.
Effective:
The service ensured patients received effective care and treatment through comprehensive assessment, evidence-based practice and ongoing review of their needs. Staff worked collaboratively with patients to plan and deliver care that reflected their health, wellbeing and communication needs. This included detailed assessments and regular monitoring to respond to changes in patients’ condition. Care was delivered in line with national guidance and recognised standards, with staff using structured tools and pathways to support consistent practice. Multidisciplinary working was embedded, supporting continuity and coordinated care across services. Outcomes were monitored through audit and governance processes, and patients were supported to manage their health and make informed decisions through clear information and consent processes.
Caring:
Patients were consistently treated with kindness, compassion and respect, and their privacy and dignity was maintained throughout their care. Staff demonstrated a person-centred approach, taking time to listen to patients, understand their individual needs and provide emotional as well as physical support. Patients described staff as attentive, reassuring and approachable. They said they felt involved in decisions about their care. Staff tailored care to meet individual needs, including providing additional reassurance, adapting communication and making reasonable adjustments for those with additional needs.
Responsive:
The service placed patients at the centre of how care was planned and delivered, ensuring services were responsive to individual needs and preferences. Staff worked proactively to understand patients’ needs in advance and made adjustments to support accessibility, comfort and positive experiences. Care was coordinated across teams and with external partners, supporting continuity and seamless transitions between services. Patients received clear, accessible information in formats that met their needs, enabling them to understand their care and participate in decisions. The service encouraged feedback and actively involved patients in shaping and improving services. Overall, care was flexible, well organised and delivered in a way that met the diverse needs of people using the service.
Well-led:
Leadership within the service promoted a positive, inclusive and collaborative culture focused on patient-centred care, safety and continuous improvement. Leaders were visible, approachable and supportive, with a clear understanding of the clinical and operational context of the service. Staff felt able to raise concerns, contribute ideas and participate in improvement activities, reflecting a culture of openness and psychological safety. Governance systems provided effective oversight of quality, safety and performance, with learning from incidents, audits and feedback used to drive improvement. The service demonstrated a commitment to innovation and development, including initiatives to enhance patient wellbeing and the use of digital tools to support care monitoring and personalisation. Overall, leadership supported the delivery of good quality, sustainable care and continuous service improvement.
People's experience of this service
Patients consistently described their experience as highly positive, using words such as ‘brilliant’, ‘fantastic’ and ‘efficient’ to characterise their care. They felt welcomed, respected and treated professionally throughout their stay, with staff praised for their kindness, compassion and supportive approach.
Patients told us that they felt completely safe in the hospital. Identity checks were carried out reliably and staff regularly monitored observations, pain levels and general wellbeing. Patients felt reassured by staff behaviour and vigilance.
Good communication was a strong theme across all feedback. Patients said information was clear, easy to understand and delivered in a way that helped them feel informed and confident. They felt listened to, able to ask questions and involved in decisions about their care. Several patients highlighted that staff took time with them, never rushing consultations.
Care plans, expected outcomes and procedures were well explained, often supported by written materials. Staff across different teams appeared well‑coordinated, and patients felt their care was handled smoothly.
The hospital environment was consistently described as clean, comfortable and well organised. One patient noted the building felt dated and another mentioned parking difficulties, but these did not detract from their overall positive experience.
Staff gave clear medicine explanations and staff checked allergies every time medication was given. Patients received detailed take home instructions, including dosage guidance, physiotherapy advice and information about what to expect during recovery. Patients told us they felt well prepared to manage their rehabilitation at home.
Patients described discharge processes as thorough, with clear instructions and contact details for any concerns. Patients appreciated having direct lines to staff and felt confident about managing their recovery.
Administrative processes were generally smooth, efficient and easy to navigate. Patients appreciated quick turnaround times for appointments and surgery.