Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital

Ratings - Diagnostic imaging

• Overall

  Good

• Safe

  Good

• Effective

  Good

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Good

Our view of the service

We assessed diagnostic imaging at Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital on 25 to 27 February 2026.

We carried out the assessment due to the age of ratings of the service. At our previous inspection of the service, we rated diagnostic imaging combined with outpatients. At the time of this assessment, we assessed and rated the services separately. We assessed 33 quality statements.

Diagnostic imaging services provided included: plain x-ray, ultrasound, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Computer tomography (CT) scans were offered. However, as these were completed by a separate Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered provider we have not assessed care delivered by CT staff as part of this assessment. The service carried out almost 10,000 scans in the 12 months prior to our assessment.

The quality of children and young people’s care and treatment undergoing diagnostic imaging procedures was not reviewed as part of the diagnostic imaging assessment. The children and young people’s assessment covered care for people under the age of 18.

We rated the service as good. The service had a good learning culture and patients were protected and kept safe. There were suitably trained and qualified staff. Care and treatment was based on latest evidence and good practice guidance. Patients were treated with kindness and compassion. The service was responsive to patient needs. Leaders were visible and knowledgeable. However, the service did not always display radiation warning signs. Fire extinguishers were not clearly labelled in the MRI area. There were some out-of-date single use items. Local policies contained incorrect information and the service's local rules were not up to date. The service did not have specific meetings to monitor the safe use of ionising radiation.

People's experience of this service

During our assessment all people we spoke with had positive experiences of the service. Patients were positive about the staff treating them with warmth and kindness and providing effective care and treatment. They felt staff were skilled and very professional. Patients said the staff could be contacted easily and were responded to quickly and they all felt they could get assistance if needed. Patients told us they were given time to ask questions about their procedure and staff had checked they understood what they were having done. Patients said they were satisfied with access and waiting times. Patients were satisfied with the service they received.