King's College Hospital surgery rated 'Good' after six-year wait
CQC inspection finds improvements in staff training, patient care and governance at Denmark Hill site
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Surgical care at King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill has been rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission, following an inspection in April 2025. The upgrade ends a six-year period during which the service was rated 'Requires Improvement'.
The CQC conducted a short-notice inspection on 14 and 15 April, followed by remote interviews from 15 to 23 April. Inspectors spoke with more than 80 staff members, 21 patients and reviewed 25 patient records. The hospital serves residents in Southwark and Lambeth.
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Improvements in training and patient care
Antoinette Smith, CQC deputy director of hospitals in London, said the hospital had made "significant improvements" in its surgery services. In 2019, inspectors had identified shortfalls in medical staff training. By April 2025, leaders had ensured staff received immediate training and support, as reported by MyLondon.
Patients told inspectors they felt safe and well cared for. One described the service as "responsive" to their needs. Staff were praised for tailoring care to individual preferences and maintaining kindness throughout treatment. Pain relief was consistently provided, according to the CQC report.
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We found staff worked closely with people to understand their needs and preferences and tailored their care accordingly. They were kind and respectful throughout and people told us they felt safe and well cared for.
Antoinette Smith, CQC deputy director of hospitals in London
Ongoing challenges remain
Despite the upgrade, inspectors identified areas that still require attention. Risks to patients were not always consistently assessed or mitigated. Regular staffing shortages on wards were noted, and the service was not always easy to access. Some patients experienced long waits for surgery.
Smith said leaders were aware of these issues and were proactively working to address them. The hospital is no longer in breach of legal regulations relating to staffing, but further work is needed to reduce delays and improve capacity.
Trust chief executive responds
Matthew Trainer, chief executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said the upgrade reflected the "hard work of our teams". He urged patients to feel confident in the quality of surgical care at the hospital.
Trainer added that the inspection feedback showed a "learning culture" in surgery and a commitment from staff to listen to patients. Patients had described their care as "great", "wonderful" and "professional and kind", as reported by MyLondon.
What happens next
The CQC report, published on 30 July 2025, does not specify a date for the next inspection. The hospital will continue to monitor staffing levels and waiting times as part of its improvement plan. Residents can access the full report on the CQC website.
Questions this report answers
+What did the CQC find after inspecting King's College Hospital surgery?
The Care Quality Commission rated King’s College Hospital’s surgery services 'Good' after an inspection in April 2025. This upgrade ends a six-year period where the service was rated 'Requires Improvement'. Inspectors found improvements in staff training, patient care and governance, though some challenges remain.
+What improvements did the hospital make to its surgery services?
The hospital improved staff training and patient care, ensuring immediate training and support for medical staff. Patients reported feeling safe and well cared for, with staff tailoring care to individual needs. Pain relief was consistently provided, and staff were praised for their kindness and responsiveness.
+What challenges does King's College Hospital still face after the upgrade?
Despite the upgrade, the hospital still faces staffing shortages on wards and long waits for some procedures. Risks to patients were not always consistently assessed or mitigated, and access to services remained an issue. Leaders are proactively working to address these problems.
+How can residents find out more about the CQC report?
Residents can access the full CQC report on the organisation’s website, published on 30 July 2025. The report does not specify a date for the next inspection, but the hospital will continue monitoring staffing levels and waiting times as part of its improvement plan.
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