CQC recognises progress as improvements take hold at Countess of Chester Hospital
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed the positive findings from the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection, which demonstrates improved ratings in the services assessed.
Inspectors looked at Urgent and Emergency Care, End of Life Care and Medical Services. They saw clear improvements across all three areas, with changes providing patients with safer care, better experiences, improved treatment spaces and more timely access to care.
The Trust welcomed the Good rating for its Medical and End of Life care. This reflects better experiences for patients and their families, with a strong focus on kindness, dignity and compassion.
Jane Tomkinson OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a proud moment for our teams and an important message for our patients and their families. The CQC report demonstrates that the actions we are taking are improving the quality and experience for patients.
“I am extremely grateful to colleagues across the Trust for their professionalism, compassion and commitment. We recognise there is more to do – especially in Urgent and Emergency Care – and we will continue to drive forward the improvements, to ensure every patient receives safe, timely and high‑quality care.”
Neil Large MBE, Chair of theCountess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This achievement has come from colleagues working together with a strong focus on listening, learning and making changes that matter to patients and their families.
“On behalf of the Trust Board, I want to thank colleagues across our hospitals for their dedication and professionalism.”
The inspection took place during the Trust’s busiest month on record, when emergency care demand was around 8% higher than the same time last year. Despite this pressure, CQC inspectors saw clear improvements in how patients were assessed, treated and supported in the Countess of Chester Hospital’s emergency care facilities.
Since the inspection, the Trust has completed a £7.1 million upgrade to the emergency department and the discharge lounge. A new arrival and streaming process is helping patients reach the right care more quickly, senior clinical capacity has increased during peak times, and progress is being made with earlier discharge planning to support smoother patient journeys.
These changes sit alongside major milestones achieved over the past year, including the Trust being recognised as one of the most improved in England.
The full CQC report was published on Friday 31 July 2026.
Publish date: 31 July 2026