The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded Salisbury District Hospital to an overall rating of ‘Requires Improvement’ following an inspection of its surgical services.
Inspectors visited the hospital on 16 and 17 September 2025 to assess surgical services. The inspection was carried out because the previous rating for the service had become outdated.
Following the inspection, surgical services were rated as ‘Requires Improvement’ based on the hospitals performance in 5 ‘Key Questions’
Two of the five, ‘Safe’ and ‘Well-led’ have been downgraded from ‘Good’ to ‘Requires Improvement’
On ‘Safe’, the CQC found the service had safety systems in place, including incident reporting and monitoring of outcomes, while staff felt able to raise concerns, reflecting a developing culture of learning. However, inspectors found inconsistencies in the completion and recording of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessments, limiting assurance that risks to patients were being consistently identified and managed.
On ‘Well-led’, the CQC said leaders generally supported the delivery of high-quality, person-centered care, with staff describing them as visible, approachable and supportive.
Inspectors also found a positive learning culture, but said the service continued to face longstanding challenges linked to its infrastructure, environment and wider systems, despite leaders identifying, assessing and escalating the risks.
While in the remaining three, ‘Effective’, ‘Caring’ and ‘Responsive’, the hospital retained its ‘Good’ rating from the previous inspection.
The latest assessment has been combined with ratings from other services during previous inspections to produce an overall rating of ‘Requires Improvement’
Speaking to the BBC, a spokesperson for Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said: “We accept the areas identified for improvement.
“We have already taken action in response to a number of the issues raised, with further improvements under way.
“This includes work to strengthen arrangements within our theatre environment, where plans are progressing.
“Longer-term improvements to our day surgery services will also be supported by the new siagnostic and surgical hub once completed.”
