Although the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection at our Trust was underway in March 2020, it was never completed as all inspections were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore our overall rating and those of the five key domains has remained the same as in 2017.

This means that 39 of the 47 areas inspected at Hull Royal Infirmary were rated as Good, and 8 were Requires Improvement, while 27 out of the 29 areas inspected at Castle Hill Hospital were rated as Good and two were Requires Improvement. Furthermore, at Castle Hill Hospital all five key domains were rated as Good.

We were very pleased to note that inspectors found the compassion and care provided in neurosurgery to be outstanding, particularly with regard to minimising distress for patients, families and carers. In addition end of life care at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill hospital was also identified as outstanding by the inspection team with special reference to the support offered to patients, families and carers by the organ donation specialist nurses.

We have responded to the CQC regarding areas for improvement and we are confident that we have addressed most of the issues that our inspectors highlighted. We have robust plans in place to deliver the remaining improvements identified in the report, and we hope that we can have a full and thorough inspection when the CQC are able to return.