- NHS hospital
Whipps Cross University Hospital
Report from 15 May 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic imaging
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 29 July to 30 July 2025
We carried out a short notice announced focussed inspection of Diagnostic Imaging on 29 and 30 July 2025 due to concerns regarding a poor culture within the service. We inspected 23 quality statements across the five key questions: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
During our inspection we visited: Accident and Emergency X-Ray and CT, CT Scanners, Outpatient department X-ray, GP X-Ray, Breast Clinic, MRI, Fluoroscopy, Nuclear Medicine and Byron Integrated Cardiology Unit.
We spoke with over 35 members of staff including radiographers, radiologists, cardiac physiologists, physicists, imaging assistants, sonographers, receptionists, and managers. We received feedback from over 25 people using the service.
We rated the service as Requires Improvement. We found 3 breaches of the regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, premises and equipment and good governance.
Staff did not always complete safety checks, which increased the risk of errors and compromised patient safety. Governance systems were not always effective in identifying or addressing areas for improvement. Staff and teams did not always work well together to promote patient safety and manage risks in the care environment. However, most staff told us they had seen improvements in the culture of the service. There was a good learning culture where events were investigated, and learning was shared to promote good practice. Staff were kind, caring and compassionate. The service planned care to meet the needs of people and worked to ensure that people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it.
We have requested an action plan, this will be requested upon publication of the final report.
People's experience of this service
We received feedback from 28 patients and carers. Patients, family and carers we spoke with were all positive about the staff treating them with warmth and kindness and providing effective care and treatment. Most people we spoke with told us they did not experience long waits. People told us communication with them was generally good and they were happy with the care they received. We observed that staff provided clear explanations in a way patients could understand and offered reassurance.