‘Patients and families were at the centre of everything staff did’: Newark Hospital rated ‘Good’ following CQC inspection.

Newark Hospital has maintained its overall rating of ‘Good’ in a report issued by regulators today, which also saw the site’s end of life care upgraded from ‘Requires improvement’ to ‘Good’ and receive a rare ‘Outstanding’ rating in one area of the inspection.

The new ratings were issued following an inspection of end of life services at Newark Hospital by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission, who are the independent regulators of health and adult social care services in England.

The report sharing the outcome of that inspection, which took place on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 November 2025, was published by the Commission on Tuesday 7 April.

In their report, inspectors noted that Newark Hospital staff worked well together for the benefit of patients and their loved ones, working alongside other local NHS services and putting patients and families ‘at the centre of everything that staff did’ to plan and deliver patients’ care.

In assessing end of life services at Newark Hospital, the Commission rated the service as ‘Good’ overall and ‘Good’ for being safe, effective, responsive and well led. The service also received a rare ‘Outstanding’ rating in the ‘Caring’ domain, recognising that the service is performing exceptionally well for this measure.

After speaking to a number of Newark Hospital staff, patients and their loved ones as part of their inspection, the Commission noted that patients and their families felt ‘exceptionally well-supported, cared for and treated with the utmost dignity and respect’.

The report also highlighted a number of areas highlighted for further improvement, which included improving how ‘do not resuscitate’ orders and individuals’ preferences for how they receive clinical care when they are not able to make decisions themselves is discussed and documented.

Executive Chief Nurse at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, Philip Bolton, said: “The care our loved ones receive at the end of their lives stays with us forever, which is why it is so important our hospitals provide the best possible care in these vitally important moments for local people.

“We are absolutely delighted with these upgraded ratings, which recognise the improvements we have continued to make at Newark Hospital.

“The recognition for those efforts is testament to the hard work, dedication and compassion of the entire team who are so proud to work here at Newark Hospital.”

Newark Hospital is part of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which also runs the county’s King’s Mill and Mansfield Community Hospitals.

The site is a valued part of the local community, offering a range of outpatient clinics, diagnostic tests, therapy services, surgical and medical day case procedures and operations, inpatient, rehabilitation and end of life care services.

Newark Hospital is also home to the Newark Urgent Treatment Centre, which provides same-day care and treatment from 8am to 10.30pm each day, with the last patient being admitted at 9.30pm.