- Independent hospital
Chaucer Hospital
Assessment report published 12 November 2025
Ratings - Surgery
Our view of the service
Chaucer Hospital is an independent hospital located in Canterbury, Kent run by Circle Health Group. The hospital has 35 beds and includes access to medical and diagnostic facilities, outpatient services and surgery.
We last inspected and rated surgery at the hospital on 22 February 2022. We rated the service good in all 5 key questions and good overall.
We carried out an unannounced focused inspection on 18 April 2023 because we received information that raised concerns about the safety of the surgery service and the leadership of the surgical department. We did not rate the surgery service at this inspection, so the previous rating of good remained.
We carried out this comprehensive unannounced assessment on 25 June 2025 following information of concern. We assessed the service using our single assessment framework.
The main service provided by the hospital was surgery for adult patients.
The hospital had a culture of learning and improvement, where staff felt able to raise concerns. This was an improvement from our previous assessment. Managers investigated incidents, shared learning and when required, developed action plans to make improvements. All areas were visibly clean and well-maintained. Staff now had enough suitable equipment and access to the estate and environment had improved. There were effective processes to assess the needs of patients using evidence-based guidance. Staff provided patients with patient-centred care and treatment. There were governance processes which were effective, and staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Leaders were highly respected, visible and inclusive. Staff now felt valued and respected. Innovation was encouraged and the hospital and surgical department had been awarded with various accreditations.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 8 patients. All patients were complimentary about the care they had received. Staff made them feel at ease and gave them enough information to enable them to make informed decisions. They were provided with a range of treatment options and felt involved in their care. Patients were able to access the service at a time which was suitable to them. We reviewed local survey results and feedback was mostly positive or very positive.