- Independent hospital
Spire Fylde Coast Hospital
Assessment report published 30 October 2026
Ratings - Surgery
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 9 March 2026 Surgical Services ASG Summary
The hospital is registered to provide diagnostic and screening procedures, surgical procedures
The rating of surgery at Spire Fylde Coast Hospital remains good following this assessment.
We carried out an unannounced assessment of surgery at Spire Fylde Coast Hospital on 9 March 2026. At the last inspection we rated the location as good.
At this assessment the location is rated good overall.
Spire Fylde Coast Hospital is a health facility that is operated by Spire Healthcare Ltd. It is a private hospital in Blackpool Lancashire. The hospital has been operating for over 42 years (opening in 1983). It is located 400 yards from a local NHS trust main acute site. It is on the outskirts of the town of Blackpool and about one mile from the seaside promenade.
Blackpool and the wider Fylde Coast have a population of around 350,000. The hospital primarily serves the communities of Blackpool and the Fylde Coast, however it also accepts patient referrals from outside this area, Spire Fylde Coast accepts NHS patients for specific elective care, diagnostic tests and treatments under contact agreements with local health organisations
During this inspection, we engaged with a range of staff working across the surgical service. This included nurses, operating department practitioners (ODPs), anaesthetists, the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) chair, physiotherapists, catering staff, administrative staff, safeguarding leads, Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) leads, infection prevention and control (IPC) leads, waste management lead, mental health first aiders, a student ODP, managers, and senior management leaders. We aimed to speak with surgeons, but they were not available during the assessment. We also received feedback from 10 patients and relatives who used the service.
People's experience of this service
People’s overall experiences of the service were mostly positive, with most patients describing good care, clear communication and supportive staff. Feedback gathered during the inspection from interviews with patients showed that care largely met expectations and patients felt well supported throughout their surgical pathway. Most patients consistently described staff as kind, respectful and responsive.
Patients reported that staff communicated effectively and helped them understand their care and treatment. Most patients told us they were given clear explanations about surgery, risks and recovery, and had enough time to ask questions and be involved in decisions. Patients were also provided with information before and after treatment and reported knowing who to contact if they had concerns after discharge. This reflected a consistent approach to supporting patients to be informed and involved in their care.
Patients also told us they felt listened to and supported, and that their privacy and confidentiality were maintained throughout their care. Observations during the inspection also supported this, with staff interacting with patients in a respectful and caring manner.
We saw staff communicating clearly and kindly with patients and those close to them, helping them understand what was happening. Patients described staff as professional and said they felt well cared for by kind and compassionate staff. We witnessed staff being responsive to requests for pain relief and dressing changes whilst onsite.