- Independent hospital
Spire South Bank Hospital
Assessment report published 23 September 2026
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic imaging
Our view of the service
We carried out an unannounced risk-based assessment of the diagnostic imaging service on 23 and 24 April 2026 due to an aged rating. We undertook a subsequent site visit on 18 May to follow up and seek assurance around some concerns we identified during our initial site visit.
The service offered a range of diagnostic procedures for adults, including X-ray, fluoroscopy, computerised tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography and ultrasound. From April 2025 to March 2026, a total of 7, 983 diagnostic scans were carried out for MRI, CT, ultrasound, mammography and X-ray.
As part of the assessment, we visited all diagnostic modalities carried out at the service. We observed diagnostic procedures being carried out and reviewed 15 patient records. We reviewed hospital and imaging policies, procedures and operating procedures. We spoke to 17 staff members including the senior management team, the imaging manager, radiographers, radiographer assistants, administrative staff and radiologists. We spoke with 9 patients who had recently received a service.
During our inspection we identified some concerns with medicines management, the environment, equipment and governance. The senior management team responded positively to feedback and took immediate action. This resulted in some services being suspended on a temporary basis, including contrast CT, MRI and mammography. A rapid improvement plan was implemented and during a follow up visit on 18 May we were assured all concerns raised had been acted on.
We found 1 breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 in relation to governance.
The service did not have effective oversight of quality, safety and performance across the diagnostic imaging service. Some local imaging policies, procedures and guidance had not been reviewed or implemented. There was not an effective programme of image quality audits and peer reviews in place. Audits carried out were not always effective in identifying non-compliance.
We rated the service as requires improvement overall.
People's experience of this service
Patients were overwhelmingly positive about the service. They described the service as “very good”, staff provided “excellent care” and were “amazing”. They told us staff treated them with warmth and kindness, always maintained their privacy and dignity and provided reassurance when needed. Patients with specific individual needs felt supported. They told us staff were reassuring and responded positively if they were anxious. Patients told us it was easy to get booked in at a time that suited them and staff responded quickly if they needed anything. Patients told us they were given time to ask questions about their procedure and staff had checked they understood what they were having done.