- NHS hospital
Dorset County Hospital
Assessment report published 30 June 2026
Contents
Ratings - Urgent and emergency services
Our view of the service
We carried out this 2-day assessment on 20 and 21 January 2026. Urgent and Emergency care at Dorset County Hospital is provided by Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This service was originally built to accommodate 22,000 attendances in the 1990s. In response to national guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the trust expanded the footprint of the emergency department (ED) to manage infection prevention and control risks. To support this, the trust secured additional funding which was used to double ED capacity while longer-term improvement works progressed. By 2024/25, demand had risen significantly, with the service accommodating 52,000 attendances yearly. At the time of our inspection, significant capital improvement works were underway, funded through the New Hospital Programme (NHP). These works were intended to substantially increase capacity and were scheduled for completion in 2027.
This was a comprehensive assessment and was carried out because the service had not been inspected since 2018.
We rated the service as good. The service had made improvements and was no longer in breach of regulations for safe staffing and premises and equipment. Mandatory training compliance had improved. Mental health risks were now well managed and mitigated. Ligature points had been removed since the last inspection, along with other items posing a potential risk to peoples’ safety.
During the inspection, we identified concerns around the clinical oversight of the walk-in emergency department waiting room. Additionally, do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions were not always made by medical or nursing staff with the correct level of seniority and training in line with trust policy. However, there were clear responsibilities, roles and systems of accountability.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with over 11 patients and their loved ones throughout our assessment of the service. We used feedback from Experts by Experience in our assessment evidence. We also reviewed patient feedback and Friends and Family test scoring.
The trust used the Friends and Family test questionnaire to collect information about experiences of care. The response rate for experiences related to the Emergency Department (ED) was low with no responses shared in October 2025, improving to 2.2% of patients in December 2025. Patients said they would recommend their care and treatment, but the ED performed worse in this area compared to other departments in the trust such as inpatient and maternity care.
Patients spoke to the assessment team positively about their experience of care and treatment. Patients said staff treated them well and behaved appropriately towards them. Patients said staff were responsive to their needs and they received pain relief when they needed it.
Where patients were being cared for in escalation spaces, they told us staff explained why. Patients said they had been treated with respect and kindness during these conversations. Most patients said that staff kept them up to date about delays, waiting times and next steps. People told us they were happy with their care.