- NHS hospital
Southampton General Hospital
Assessment report published 25 September 2026
Contents
Ratings - Services for children & young people
Our view of the service
We carried out this assessment on 25 and 26 November 2025.
Children and Young Peoples care includes services located at Southampton Children’s Hospital (SCH) and Princess Anne Hospital. These locations are part of the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
We carried out this comprehensive assessment as the services had not been inspected since 2015. We assessed 5 key questions; safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.
The inspection team comprised of a CQC inspection manager, inspectors and a specialist advisor. We spoke with more than 40 members of staff, including senior leaders. We made observations and looked at documentation related to the services provided and reviewed 8 patient records. Additionally, we spoke with 6 patients and 15 parents.
The trust provided formal evidence to us at our request, which was reviewed as part of the assessment process.
We rated Children and Young Peoples care as good overall because:
People were involved in the assessments of their needs and were given opportunities to make decisions and choices with support where needed. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff reviewed peoples progress and took account of their personal needs, communication and made changes where additional needs were identified. Treatment and care was based on the latest evidence and good professional practice guidance. Staff worked with the multidisciplinary team and other agencies involved in people’s care, to ensure the best outcomes for them. Transitions of care and discharge from services were managed in ways which ensured smooth arrangements.
The service had a good incident reporting process, which included investigations and shared learning. There was a positive culture where people who used the service and staff could raise concerns. People were protected from risks and kept safe from avoidable harm. Patient areas were safe and clean, were well equipped and generally maintained and suitable. Staff assessed and managed risks to patients and themselves well. Staff understood how to protect patients from abuse and the service worked well with other agencies to do so. The service used systems and processes to safely prescribe, administer, record and store medicines. There were mostly enough staff with the right skills and experience to deliver treatment and care safely.
People were provided with information in ways which supported them to understand treatment and care. There was a shared vision and culture based on meeting people’s needs to the highest possible standards, based on listening, learning, openness and trust. Departmental leaders were visible, knowledgeable, and supportive to staff. Staff mostly felt valued and respected and that they were treated equally. They understood their roles and responsibilities. Children and Young Peoples actively sought to make improvements and took opportunities to improve practice, through learning, quality improvement and research.
However, there were constraints in some service areas, which meant staffing was reduced. This sometimes caused delays for patients in having assessments, diagnostics and accessing services in a timely manner. Whilst statutory and mandatory training was available to staff, they did not always undertake this as expected.
People's experience of this service
Patients and their parents who spoke with us were positive about their experiences and of staff treating and caring for them in a kind, respectful and caring way. They said staff treated them well and with kindness and “they do their best with everything.” People told us they felt safe, and staff were “calm” and attentive. Parents told us they were involved in discussions about their child’s care, and they were treated with respect. Most said communication with them was good and they were updated on progress. One parent told us they were involved in the discussion at doctor’s ward rounds, and they felt “lucky to see the same doctor.”
Feedback via the Experience of Care Team included comments such as, “Everyone was amazing, made to feel at home. Access to multi-professionals. Provided a good balance of clinical, therapeutic and holistic care. Truly an amazing service that changes children’s lives for the better. Thank you.” The nurse in recovery was lovely and caring. The nurse on the ward was amazing really cared about mine and my mum’s needs.” Staff always friendly and welcoming, made us feel like we could just chat and almost feel like we weren’t in hospital, especially HDU staff.” Staff could be nominated by patients for going above and beyond under the title ‘Experience of Care Heroes.’ There were many examples of staff being named and supporting information to say why they were nominated.
Most patients were happy about the facilities and the food and drink offered. Parents could bring other food items in and had access to refreshment facilities. Most parents said they appreciated being able to stay with their child and the sleep arrangements were generally good.