The Countess of Chester Hospital

Ratings - Medical care (Including older people's care)

• Overall

  Good

• Safe

  Requires improvement

• Effective

  Good

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Good

Our view of the service

We carried out an unannounced on-site comprehensive assessment of medical care (including older people’s care) at The Countess of Chester Hospital on 27 to 29 October 2025.

We carried out this assessment to follow up on the findings of our previous assessment.

The medical care services at the hospital provided care and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions, including general medicine, cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, stroke services and same day emergency care (SDEC). The stroke service was part of the Greater Manchester regional thrombolysis service. There were 563 beds at the hospital and 4428.70 WTE members of staff employed at the trust. The hospital provides medical care services to a population of 445,000 people.

We looked at 5 sets of patient clinical records; we spoke with 12 patients; we spoke with 6 family members or friends; and we spoke with 40 members of staff.

The service was in breach of the legal regulations in related to safe care and treatment, premises and equipment and staffing.

We rated medical care (including older people's care) as good.

We have requested an action plan, this will be requested upon publication of the final report.

People's experience of this service

Patients and relatives reported consistently positive experiences, praising the kindness, compassion, and dignity from staff. Staff provided responsive, respectful, and individualised care, maintaining privacy, supporting independence, and addressing cultural, religious, and disability specific needs. Immediate patient needs were met promptly.