Patients benefiting from gold standard safety at the Countess of Chester Hospital

Patients receiving care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – including those having surgery, cancer treatment, tests to investigate symptoms, or urgent procedures – can now be assured that the equipment used meets the highest safety standards in the NHS.

Both Sterile Services and Endoscopy – including an onsite dedicated Decontamination Unit – have achieved an impressive result in their latest inspection. The hospital was measured against strict safety and quality standards set by the UK Government for NHS services. These are the same standards used across the country to ensure patients receive safe, reliable care. The Countess of Chester Hospital passed with a perfect score: no issues raised, no improvements required, and no safety concerns identified. It’s the first time in 20 years the hospital has achieved such a remarkable result in this area.

Magdalena Bilkiewicz, Manager of Sterile Services and the Endoscopy Decontamination Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital, said: “This result reflects the dedication of our staff, who work tirelessly to make sure every patient receives safe, high-quality care. It’s a huge achievement for our teams and a clear sign that the standards we are working to are not just being met – they are being exceeded.”

Sterile Services and the Endoscopy Decontamination Unit play a vital behind-the-scenes role in patient care. Sterile Services ensures that every surgical instrument, tray, and scope used in the hospital is properly cleaned, packed, and sterilised, supporting procedures across operating theatres, wards, and outpatient clinics. Endoscopy allows doctors to look inside the body to diagnose and treat conditions such as bowel cancer, ulcers, and internal bleeding.

Together, these departments support the delivery of a large proportion of patient care at the Countess of Chester Hospital. According to NHS England data, around 75% of hospital attendances nationally relate to planned care, meaning services like Endoscopy and Sterile Services are central to the experience of lots of patients when they come to hospital. At the Countess of Chester Hospital, thousands of patients each year have procedures that rely on these departments, ranging from routine operations to life-saving interventions.

Inspectors praised the hospital departments’ strong processes, well-trained staff, and commitment to learning and improvement. They also confirmed that there have been no safety incidents in these departments since the last inspection – meaning no equipment has had to be withdrawn, no procedures disrupted, and no patients affected by unexpected problems.

Ben McGee, Directorate Manager at the Countess of Chester Hospital, added: “This is about more than passing a test – it’s about delivering on our promise to patients. We have said we are committed to outstanding care, and this shows we are making real progress.”

The achievement supports the Trust’s Five-Year Strategy for Outstanding Patient Care, which sets out a clear goal: to be a hospital that patients trust and staff are proud of. This inspection result is a strong step in that direction.

Magdalena Bilkiewicz added: “Behind the scenes our teams are working hard every day to keep patients safe. We’re proud of what we have achieved and will continue to strive for the absolute best for our patients, across our three hospitals.”

This latest inspection result adds to a growing track record of recognition for the Countess’s Endoscopy department. Last year, the unit received full JAG (Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy) reaccreditation – an industry-standard endorsement that reflects consistently high-quality care and strong clinical performance.

It also follows recent national recognition of the hospital’s leadership in bowel cancer diagnosis, where patients are now seen and supported faster than anywhere else in England. Together, these achievements show that from first referral to final treatment, many more patients at the Countess of Chester Hospital are receiving care that is not only fast, but safe, reliable, and with nationally recognised standards, helping to rebuild trust and confidence in the hospital’s services.