- Independent hospital
Fulwood Hall Hospital
Assessment report published 26 August 2026
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic imaging
Our view of the service
Fulwood Hall Hospital offers a range of diagnostic imaging services, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluoroscopy, ultrasound and X-ray scans.
MRI scans are carried out from a mobile MRI scan facility. We did not assess the MRI equipment, facilities and staffing because this was managed by the corporate provider and not in the scope of this inspection. However, we looked at care records and spoke with patients who underwent MRI scans during the inspection.
We commenced an assessment of the diagnostic imaging service at Fulwood Hall Hospital and carried out an unannounced inspection during 7 and 8 April 2026. The purpose of the assessment was to re-rate the diagnostic imaging service due to the age of the previous rating and to follow up regulatory breaches from the previous inspection in December 2018.
During the inspection, we spoke with 7 patients and looked at 9 care records. We also spoke with 13 staff and managers, and reviewed policies and other documents relating to the service.
At this assessment we identified 1 breach of regulations relating to good governance in the diagnostic imaging service.
Our overall rating for diagnostic imaging remained the same. We rated it as good.
Staff protected people from abuse and managed incidents well. Staff assessed people’s risks and needs, gained their consent and worked well together as a team. The service managed infection risks well and the premises and equipment were suitably maintained. The service had enough staff to care for people and keep them safe.
Staff treated people with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity and took account of their individual needs and choices. Most people experienced positive outcomes following their care and treatment and could access the service when they needed it, in a way that promoted equality and protected their rights.
Leaders promoted a positive work culture based on equality, diversity and inclusion. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. Leaders worked collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to plan and manage services.
However, the service did not consistently ensure that all staff, particularly consultants with practising privileges and bank staff, were up to date with mandatory training requirements. The service did not always have effective governance processes for managing recruitment and training records for consultants working under practising privileges.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 7 patients during the inspection. All the patients we spoke with were positive about their experience of using the service. Patients told us staff treated them with equality and with kindness and respect. They told us staff respected their privacy and dignity and accommodated their needs and preferences.
Patients told us staff assessed their needs, risks and preferences and provided safe and effective scan procedures They told us they felt the premises and equipment were safe, clean and well maintained and they knew how to raise a complaint or concern.