- Independent hospital
National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service Stoke
Assessment report published 1 June 2026
Contents
Ratings - Termination of pregnancy
Our view of the service
The National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service Stoke (NUPAS) opened in 2004 and began offering early medical terminations in 2009. The service provides termination advice and treatment, which includes early medical terminations up to 63 days, surgical termination up to 13 weeks and 6 days, contraception and pregnancy testing. An early medical termination involves taking medication to end a pregnancy; it doesn’t require surgery or anaesthesia and is more commonly known as the abortion pill. It involves taking two different types of pills at two different times. Women and girls who require a termination of pregnancy who are over 13 weeks and 6 days are referred to another clinic.
We carried out the announced inspection on 24 March 2026 and gave the service 24 hours’ notice that we would visit. An unannounced (the service did not know we were going) inspection was undertaken to the Wolverhampton clinic on 30 March 2026. We inspected this service using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We have inspected this service 4 times, in 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2019. We inspected the service as it had not been inspected since 2019 and as such had an aged rating.
The service was rated good following our last inspection.
The service had a good learning culture, and people could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. Clinics were clean well maintained and fit for purpose. Staff assessed and managed risks to women and girls and themselves well. Staff understood how to protect women and girls from abuse. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well.
Staff assessed, planned, delivered and reviewed women and girls’ needs in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice. Staff worked together and with others appropriately to provide continuity of care.
Staff cared for women and girls and each other in a way that met their expectations and fully respected their privacy and dignity. The culture of kindness and respect extended to colleagues as they were treated in the same manner.
Women and girls were at the centre of their care and treatment choices. Services were tailored to meet women and girls' needs in a way that ensured choice, timely and equitable access without discrimination and continuity of care. There were appropriate systems in place to enable women and girls to share feedback or raise complaints about their care and treatment. Staff made reasonable adjustments where required and listened to women and girls’ concerns to improve the service.
Managers and leaders were caring and compassionate and had the skills and abilities to run the service. Managers promoted a positive and supportive culture and valued staff. The service had a vision and strategy for what it wanted to achieve and appropriate plans to achieve it. Staff felt respected, supported and valued and were focused on the needs of receiving care. There were appropriate systems to manage performance. Risks were identified and escalated, and actions were in place to reduce their impact. There was a culture of continuous improvement.
People's experience of this service
People told us they were treated with kindness, respect and compassion by NUPAS staff. They said staff listened to them, discussed treatment options and provided clear explanations about their care and treatment. This reflected what we observed during the assessment, staff were non-judgemental and knowledgeable about treatments, possible side effects and explaining actions should they have any concerns. Staff protected people’s privacy by holding conversations in private rooms.
Women and girls provided positive feedback within the monthly women and girls' surveys (April 2025 to March 2026), 97% of women and girls who responded saying they would recommend the service provided and were satisfied with the staff.
Staff followed a consistent approach to assessing and reviewing women and girls’ health, care, wellbeing, communication needs and mental health needs. Staff planned and delivered care and treatment with them. Staff did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards. Staff worked together and with others when assessing women and girls’ needs and shared information appropriately to maintain continuity of care. Staff gave support and advice to improve to lead healthier lives.
Staff told women and girls about their rights around consent. Staff respected these rights when person-centred care and treatment was delivered.