Report highlights kind and compassionate staff and complimentary patients and relatives
Castle Lodge Independent Hospital celebrates passing a Care Quality Commission inspection with an overall ‘Outstanding’ rating(Image: Charley Atkins / SWNS)
An independent hospital in Hull is celebrating after achieving the best possible grading from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Castle Lodge, in Sutton, passed a recent inspection with an overall “Outstanding” rating.
The CQC inspected Castle Lodge in September 2025 and rated the hospital, run by Barchester Healthcare, as Outstanding in two areas of the inspection – well-led and caring – and Good in the remaining safe, effective and responsive categories. The report stated that there was a strong person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering culture in the hospital where the kind and compassionate staff were fully invested in their patients’ wellbeing and achieved exceptional outcomes for them.
The CQC report found that the care staff knew their residents exceptionally well and were dedicated and driven to offering them the best possible care, supported them to maintain their independence and retain control of decision-making. The report praised the hospital for promoting a culture where people were truly respected, their dignity protected, where they were valued as individuals and empowered as partners in their own care.
Highlighted in the report was that the staff love working at Castle Lodge where they feel happy, valued, respected and motivated, with good training and they are supported to take up opportunities to progress in their careers. Staff spoke very highly of their work life at the hospital and their pride in working there; they talked fondly about their patients receiving “Lodge Love”.
One team member commented: “Castle Lodge does person-centred care well, proactively responding to patients’ needs. There is a good feeling of honest and open communication at all levels.”
Castle Lodge Independent Hospital celebrations(Image: Charley Atkins / SWNS)
The report noted that there were exceptionally good interactions between staff, patients and families. Patients and relatives were very complimentary about life at Castle Lodge, with one patient stating: “The staff are lovely and kind, they go out of their way to help me”.
One relative said: “Castle Lodge is the best – the care is brilliant, my relative is 100 per cent safe and we really want them to stay here.”
Another added: “I am very confident in the care here. I can go to bed without constantly worrying as I know they are safe here and being well cared for. It is a good place, they keep me informed.”
Alice Walker, hospital director at Castle Lodge Independent Hospital, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Castle Lodge has been rated Outstanding following the CQC’s latest inspection. It is fantastic to have the hard work and dedication of everyone here recognised.
“Our staff are phenomenal here, everyone supports each other and pulls together. I’m so proud of our team, our patients and our hospital.”
Dr Pete Calveley, Barchester’s CEO, visited Castle Lodge, which provides care and support for 15 patients, to congratulate Alice and her team on the hospital’s Outstanding rating and to award every member of staff a £500 voucher to celebrate their achievement. He said: “Castle Lodge is a fantastic hospital delivering exceptional care to its patients, I couldn’t be prouder of Alice and every single member of staff here.
“I am delighted to be here today to congratulate everyone personally, meet the patients and chat to the team about their wonderful work.” Barchester Healthcare is one of the UK’s largest care providers, delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here .