- Independent hospital
The Mary How Trust
Assessment report published 23 October 2026
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic imaging
Our view of the service
The assessment was conducted on 12 August 2026. We rated the service as good.
The service had made improvements and is no longer in breach of regulations. The assessment found effective systems for incident reporting, safeguarding, staffing, governance, and patient-centred care, supported by overwhelmingly positive patient feedback.
Areas of concern identified during the assessment included managers receiving insufficient safeguarding training and some shortcomings in infection prevention and control, specifically related to the cleanliness of ultrasound equipment and storage areas.
However, the provider responded promptly by completing enhanced safeguarding training and immediately addressing cleaning issues, demonstrating a proactive approach to learning and improvement.
At the previous assessment the service was in breach of regulations relating to good governance, fit and proper persons employed and safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment. At this assessment, the service was not in breach of any regulations.
People's experience of this service
People's experience of using the service was consistently positive. Evidence from patient feedback questionnaires and comments received by the service demonstrated that patients felt they were treated with kindness, compassion and respect. Patients described staff as welcoming, professional and supportive, with several commenting on the positive impact staff had on their wellbeing and confidence. One patient explained that the empathy shown by staff during their appointment had a profound effect on them, while another reported that screening had identified a serious health condition at an early stage, leading to successful treatment. Feedback also highlighted satisfaction with the thoroughness of the screening process, the quality of information provided, and the timely receipt of results.
During the assessment, observations of staff interactions confirmed that patients were treated with dignity, provided with emotional support when discussing potentially concerning findings, and involved in decisions about their care. The service had not received any complaints in the previous 12 months, and used feedback from patients, gathered through questionnaires and routine engagement, to inform service improvement.
The service also demonstrated a commitment to meeting individual needs through accessible information, translation services, hearing loop facilities, and reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, supporting equitable experiences and outcomes for all patients.