York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed the findings of a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment at Scarborough Hospital, which highlights improvements in care, particularly within medical care services.

The Trust was assessed across urgent and emergency care and medical care services, with inspectors focusing on whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. An unannounced visit took place in October 2025.

The final report, due to be published on Friday 20 March 2026, recognises the progress made since previous inspections.

Medical care services, including care for older people, have improved to an overall rating of ‘Good’, reflecting progress in safety, effectiveness and leadership. Inspectors highlighted strong multidisciplinary working and positive care delivery. The report also identifies areas for further improvement, including governance, ongoing challenges relating to training for medical staff, and the handling of complaints.

Urgent and emergency care services have been rated as ‘Requires Improvement’ overall. Inspectors identified good practice, including a positive learning culture, strong teamwork and knowing how to raise concerns.

The report also reflects the significant pressures facing the service, including high demand affecting access and flow and delays in ambulance handovers. Areas where further work is needed include infection prevention and control measures, improved assurance around consent, and documenting the ongoing assessment of patients’ needs. The Trust recognises these challenges and continues to take action to address them.

Positively across all areas visited, inspectors observed that staff interactions with patients and their loved ones were consistently warm, respectful and compassionate. Patients were kept informed about their care, with staff taking time to explain treatments and understand what mattered most to each individual.

Taking into account previous inspections, the overall rating for Scarborough Hospital remains ‘Requires Improvement’.

Dr Karen Stone, Medical Director, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We welcome the CQC’s report and are pleased it recognises the improvements we’ve made, particularly in our medical care services. It’s reassuring that inspectors saw the compassionate, person-centred care our colleagues provide every day.

“The report also clearly sets out where we must continue to improve. We acknowledge the pressures our teams are working under, particularly within urgent and emergency care, where access, patient flow and ambulance handover performance must improve, and in medical care where some patients have experienced delays in accessing specialist support.

“We continue to take action across all areas highlighted, including strengthening training compliance, workforce capacity, infection prevention and control, medicines and environmental safety, and how we monitor and support patients while they are waiting.

“I would like to thank all of our teams for their professionalism, kindness and dedication. We will continue building on the progress made and work closely with the CQC and our partners to provide safe, high-quality care for our communities.”

The full report will be available on the CQC's website from 00:01hrs on Friday 20 March 2026: CQC website - Scarborough Hospital.