Nuffield Health North Staffordshire Hospital in Newcastle-under-Lyme has retained its overall Good rating from the Care Quality Commission following an assessment earlier this year.
Inspectors visited the Clayton Road hospital on 7 and 8 July 2026. Their reports were published on 21 September, and the hospital has now shared the result in an October press release.
Surgery, outpatients and diagnostic imaging were all rated Good overall. The rating covers an independent hospital that treats insured, self-funding and NHS patients.
Outstanding rating for caring in diagnostic imaging
Within diagnostic imaging, the CQC rated the caring category as Outstanding. The other four categories for that service were Good.
The diagnostic imaging report described patients being treated with kindness and compassion, with staff protecting their privacy and dignity. It also recorded issues, including some aged equipment and cleaning records that were not always complete. No breaches of regulation were found in that service's assessment.
The distinction matters: diagnostic imaging was rated Good overall, with Outstanding applying specifically to caring, rather than to the whole department or hospital.
Hospital welcomes the result
Hospital director Ann Brunt said the result reflected the work of staff and their commitment to safe, effective and personalised care. She also highlighted the importance of patients and families having confidence in the hospital's services.
The hospital's release says its work includes consultations, diagnostics, physiotherapy, inpatient care and surgery for patients across North Staffordshire and surrounding communities.
Readers can consult the CQC's published hospital reports and the detailed diagnostic imaging assessment for the regulator's findings.
Sources: Care Quality Commission assessment reports published on 21 September 2026 and Nuffield Health's October 2026 press release.