Spire Southampton Hospital maintains ‘Good’ CQC rating and praised for outstanding standards of care and positive safety culture

• Hospital praised for its community engagement and support for patients to live healthier lives
• CQC inspectors highlighted the hospital’s strong partnerships with local NHS services and its commitment to reducing waiting times and improving patient outcomes

Spire Southampton Hospital, has maintained its overall ‘Good’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating following an unannounced inspection of its surgical services.

As well as receiving a ‘Good’ overall rating, the hospital was rated ‘Good’ across all surgical aspects for being safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.

Patients said they were well-informed and supported throughout their care journey. They were treated with kindness and compassion, provided a range of treatment options, while staff took the time to explain procedures, answer questions and put them at ease. The hospital’s support for patients with dementia and neurodiverse needs was also commended.

The CQC inspectors praised the hospital’s positive safety culture, based on openness and honesty. It was noted that learnings were widely shared from other hospitals and colleagues were supported to escalate concerns to the right people. There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced nurses, who received effective support, supervision and development.

Patients spoke of caring hospital colleagues who supported them during treatment. CQC inspectors noted patient feedback showing that 94% of patients agree or agreed strongly that they ‘felt really cared for/looked after’. Patients provided a wide range of positive feedback to the CQC inspectors such as ‘I honestly couldn’t ask for more. All staff lovely caring, and super professional’.

The hospital’s pre-operative education sessions, known as ‘Joint School’, were highlighted as a key strength, offering patients practical advice, tailored physiotherapy, and lifestyle guidance to support recovery and long-term wellbeing. Inspectors also noted the hospital’s use of personalised care plans and its proactive approach to health promotion, including smoking cessation and nutrition support. All patients undergoing surgery at Spire Southampton Hospital, regardless of private or NHS funded were referred for follow up physiotherapy to Spire's outpatient physiotherapy centre. NHS patients were not charged for this service.

The report also noted Spire Southampton’s commitment to community engagement and partnership working. The hospital was recognised for its collaboration with the local NHS trust and Integrated Care Board, supporting waiting list reduction and improving access to care.

Spire Southampton Hospital continues to invest in advanced technology and patient services. In 2024 a new £1.8m da Vinci surgical robot was installed to treat prostate cancers; removal of kidney cancers and the removal of bladders. This investment expanded the hospital’s cancer robotic programme, and through improved accuracy of the surgery, can lead to reduced pain after surgery, shortened the length of stay and faster recovery times.

In addition to investment, Spire Southampton Hospital has maintained its place as one of the top cardiothoracic centres in England, through a commitment to strong NHS partnerships, as recognised by the CQC. Last year it was awarded a letter of congratulations from The National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research for survival rates significantly higher than the national average.

Spire Southampton is one of very few independent hospitals to receive this accolade and one of three in the country – the other two being NHS hospitals – to receive this over consecutive years. 2024 was the ninth year in a row that Spire Southampton maintained this status.

Thelma Henderson, Hospital Director at Spire Southampton Hospital said: "We are proud to have maintained our ‘Good’ rating and especially pleased that inspectors recognised our commitment to safe, personalised care for our NHS and private patients, and community collaboration. Our teams work tirelessly to ensure patients feel safe, informed, and supported, and we are pleased that the inspectors have recognised the role we play within our community."

Spire Southampton Hospital has 67 inpatient beds provided across four inpatient wards, a critical care unit and day care unit of 17 beds. There are six operating theatres, in addition to an endoscopy suite and a cardiac catheter lab. The outpatient department includes 16 consulting rooms, three treatment rooms and a minor operations suite.

98% of Spire Healthcare’s inspected hospitals and clinics are rated ‘Good,’ ‘Outstanding’ or the equivalent by health inspectors in Scotland, England and Wales.