The independent regulator of health and social care in England has awarded a Doncaster eye hospital the highest possible rating (‘Outstanding’) following an inspection that took place in August 2023. SpaMedica Doncaster, which is based at Loversall Court, Tickhill Road, is one of 50 specialist eye hospitals operated by the UK’s largest provider of NHS cataract surgery.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission gave the hospital top marks for being effective, caring and responsive to people’s needs and noted “outcomes for patients were significantly better than expected when compared with other similar services nationally.” The hospital has performed over 2800 NHS cataract surgeries since opening in July 2022.

Inspectors also praised the hospital for its high standards of patient care, concluding that “patients were overwhelmingly positive about how staff treated them” and “100% of patients reported that their surgeon had a good bedside manner, was courteous and was friendly.”

One patient was quoted as saying: “The service I received from SpaMedica was fantastic. The staff couldn't do enough for you, from my first assessment to my operation a week later. All the staff were very friendly and professional.”

In addition to achieving an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission, SpaMedica Doncaster has received over 120 five-star reviews from patients on the NHS.UK website and boasts “very short” waiting times that are “significantly less then national targets.”

 

 

Other highlights from the report included: 

  • 100% of patients using the service said they would recommend it to others
  • The hospital’s complication rates were well below the national average
  • The service planned care in innovative ways to meet the needs of local people and improved patient outcomes by giving significant consideration to their individual needs
  • The service helped to ease the pressure on local NHS hospitals

Hospital manager, Sharron Hughes, said: “I’m really proud of my team, who work incredibly hard to deliver the best possible care to our patients. It’s wonderful to have our efforts recognised by the Care Quality Commission and to know that we’re making an ‘Outstanding’ contribution to local healthcare services, especially as our hospital is still relatively new and only opened just over a year ago.

“We were delighted to read all the positive feedback from our patients, and to know that we’ve already helped thousands of people to see clearly again and get their independence and quality of life back is incredibly rewarding.”

33 of SpaMedica’s hospitals have now been inspected by the Care Quality Commission, with 13 hospitals achieving an ‘Outstanding’ rating and 20 hospitals securing a ‘Good’ rating, consolidating the company’s reputation as a provider of choice for thousands of patients across the country. 

SpaMedica Doncaster’s full inspection report is available to view on the CQC website.