Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital - The Chesterfield

Ratings - Diagnostic imaging

• Overall

  Good

• Safe

  Good

• Effective

  Good

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Good

Our view of the service

We assessed diagnostic imaging at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital – The Chesterfield on 17 to 18 June 2026.

We carried out this assessment due to the service not previously being awarded ratings. At our inspection in March 2015, we inspected outpatients and diagnostic imaging as one service. During that assessment, all diagnostic services were carried out by a third-party Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered provider, which means we did not inspect diagnostics services at that time. At the time of this assessment Nuffield Health provided the diagnostic services. Under our current methodology, outpatients and diagnostic imaging are assessed and rated as separate services. During this assessment, we inspected 33 quality statements.

The service carried out over 12500 scans in the 12 months prior to our assessment. Diagnostic imaging services provided included: plain x-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT) and image intensifier scans. At the time of our assessment the static MRI equipment was being upgraded. The service was still offering MRI services using a mobile MRI unit located in north Bristol. The regulated activity at the mobile MRI was being managed by Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital – The Chesterfield.

The quality of children and young people’s care and treatment undergoing diagnostic imaging procedures was not reviewed as part of the diagnostic imaging assessment. The children and young people’s assessment covered care for people under the age of 18.

We rated the service as good. The service had a good learning culture where staff and patients could raise concerns. Patients were protected and kept safe. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Staff managed medicines safely. Patients were involved in assessments of their needs. Patient outcomes met expectations. Patient’s comfort was observed. Staff made sure patients understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Patients were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff responded to patients in a timely way. The service supported staff wellbeing. Patients were involved in decisions about their care and treatment. The service provided information which patients could understand. Patients were invited to give feedback. There was a culture based on speaking up, listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff to develop in their roles. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities.

However, recruitment records were not always complete. Information was not always kept secure. There was printed safety information that was not up to date. Store areas were not always kept secure. There were some consumable items that were out of date. There were some items stored on the floor.

The provider was in breach of 1 legal regulation relating to good governance. The provider did not always have effective processes to define staff training requirements or mitigate risks relating to recruitment checks.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

People's experience of this service

The service had systems and processes to listen to people. This included assessments of the care environment from the patient perspective. During our assessment all people we spoke with had positive experiences of care. Patients felt staff treated them with warmth and kindness. They felt staff were professional and kept them informed of what was happening. Patients said the staff could be contacted easily and felt they could get assistance if needed. Patients told us they were given time to ask questions about their procedure. Patients said they were satisfied with access and waiting times. Patients were satisfied with the service they received. We observed care during the assessment; we saw staff providing good care.