- Independent hospital
Cobalt Health
Assessment report published 9 June 2026
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic and screening services
Our view of the service
We carried out an unannounced, comprehensive two-day assessment on 18 and 19 March with follow up remote interviews on 26 March 2026.
We carried out the assessment as the provider had not been inspected fully under our new methodology, although we did carry out a responsive, focussed inspection in 2024 where the service was rated Good in all key questions except responsive which was rated Outstanding.
Safe:
The service had an excellent learning culture and people could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly and sought new ways to identify themes and trends. People were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. The facilities and equipment met the needs of people, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. 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 and involved people in planning any changes.
Effective:
People were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice and where possible, research conducted by the service led to real, positive changes in practice. People always had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. They monitored people’s health to support healthy living. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff involved those important to people and took decisions in people’s best interests where they did not have capacity.
Caring:
People were always treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. Staff went above and beyond to ensure where possible, all patients received the best imaging possible, and supported them, alongside other partners, such as GPs, to achieve this. People had choice in their care. Staff responded to people in a timely way. The service supported and provided extensive staff wellbeing initiatives.
Responsive:
People were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information people could understand. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. The service viewed all patient feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equal care and treatment. The service worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. The service also provided free cancer scans to those who needed them. People were involved in planning their care and understood options around choosing to withdraw or not receive care.
Well-led:
Leaders and staff had a clear, shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Leaders made sustainability and future planning to ensure the viability of the service was a top priority. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. People with protected characteristics felt supported. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Governance and risk management was understood and comprehensive. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were very receptive to new ideas and actively sought to develop and enhance services where they saw gaps. There was a strong culture of continuous improvement with staff empowered and given time and resources to try new ideas.
We did not identify any breaches of regulation during our assessment.
People's experience of this service
Patients and any family or carers with them were all positive about the staff treating them with warmth and kindness and providing effective care and treatment. They said they were seen quickly when they arrived and were kept informed of any disruptions to services.
Records showed they were given the tests they needed usually promptly, and they felt staff were on hand if they needed them for help or support. People said they did not feel anxious about raising concerns.
Patients told us they ‘received all the information they needed before the scan’ and told us ‘Staff went out of their way to ensure they were supported to achieve the best possible scans’. Patients told us, ‘Staff couldn’t have been lovelier’.