CQC report 2026
CQC update – July 2026
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out its most recent inspection of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in October 2025, with the report published in July 2026. This inspection focused on three individual services, each of which has now been given its own rating under the CQC’s updated approach to assessing quality by service.
The ratings of the services inspected are as follows:
- Urgent and Emergency Care: Requires Improvement (was Inadequate)
- Medical Wards: Good (was Requires Improvement)
- End of Life Care: Good (was Requires Improvement)
Under this new methodology - and while the ratings for the three services inspected had all improved since the last inspection - the CQC has confirmed that the Trust continues to be rated as Requires Improvement overall.
Read the Care Quality Commission's inspection report on the CQC website.
Our response:
Urgent and Emergency Care
The Trust welcomes the CQC’s recognition of improvement in our Emergency Care Services. The inspection took place during our busiest month on record, and at a time when major changes to emergency care (including building works) were in progress.
Inspectors recognised progress across almost every domain. These improvements reflected more positive feedback received from patients and their families.
Since then, a £7.1 million upgrade has been completed, and the department is now eight months into a new way of working [as of July 2026]. Patients are being assessed and treated more quickly, and this improvement has been recognised nationally through NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme. We recognise there is more to do and continue with a strong focus on improvements, including working with health system partners to improve patient flow.
Medical Care
We welcomed the Good rating for Medical Wards, reflecting the continued commitment of staff to kindness, dignity and positive experiences for patients and families.
There was strong recognition of person-centred care, effective leadership, learning, governance and continuous quality improvement.
End of Life Care
Inspectors recognised compassionate, dignified and respectful care and the significant progress made since the previous inspection.
Since the inspection, the Trust has already progressed improvements around specialist support and coordination, with further action taken including:
- A new 24/7 out‑of‑hours palliative care advice line
- Progress towards seven‑day specialist palliative and end of life care.
Previous 2025 inspection
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust between 6 January 2025 and 29 May 2025.
The inspection team carried out a comprehensive on-site inspection of urgent and emergency care services. The Trust was rated as Requires Improvement overall.