Spire Washington Hospital underwent an unannounced inspection in October last year after concerns were raised with the CQC.
The health watchdog also noted that the inspection was carried out due to the hospital not having been subject to a review since 2020.
Spire Hospital in Washington (Image: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo)
During the inspection, the review noted that Spire Washington was rated ‘Good’ in all areas.
Inspectors noted: “Patients and their family or carers were positive about the service. They spoke about staff treating them with warmth and kindness and providing effective care and treatment. All patients were complimentary about the care they had received.”
They added: “Staff made them feel at ease and gave them enough information to enable them to make informed decisions.
Spire Hospital Washington (Image: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo)
“They were provided with a range of treatment options and felt involved in their care. Patients were able to access the service at a time which was suitable for them.”
This review of Spire Washington comes after the hospital began an investigation and recalled patients last year linked to Leslie Irwin, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who worked for the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust between 2001 and 2023.
Dozens of patients have come forward over recent weeks who have previously undergone surgery from Mr Irwin, 63, often on multiple occasions over several years.
Mr Irwin, who worked for the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust between 2001 and 2023, retired in 2022, but a selection of his patients have been contacted directly by Spire over potential issues with his work.
Spire Hospital in Washington (Image: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo)
Mr Irwin relinquished his role with the General Medical Council (GMC) in May 2025, which now means that no GMC investigation into his work is now possible.
Spire Healthcare suspended Mr Irwin in August 2023 and withdrew his practising privileges in September 2024.
The private practice started recalling patients who were operated on by Mr Irwin during his time at Spire Washington Hospital in the summer of 2025.
A Spire Healthcare spokesperson: “We sincerely apologise to those patients who did not receive an appropriate standard of care from Mr Leslie Irwin, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who has not practised at Spire Washington Hospital since 2023.
Leslie Irwin (Image: SUPPLIED)
“We are currently reviewing specific procedures that were provided to a select cohort of patients of Mr Irwin and are in direct contact with these patients to offer support at what we recognise is a concerning time.
“The review is being run in accordance with NHS England’s National Quality Board: Recall Framework, which Spire Healthcare helped to develop.
“If any Spire Washington patients have questions about the care provided by Mr Irwin, they can call 0191 720 3031 or email spirepne@spirehealthcare.com, and a member of the dedicated review team will call them back.”
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) had been called in by the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust to help review the work of Mr Irwin.
A statement from the Trust said: “We are liaising with Spire in relation to concerns over Mr Leslie Irwin and are currently working through the details of which patients the Trust will need to review.
Spire Hospital in Washington (Image: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo)
“We have also asked the Royal College of Surgeons to support us in this process. As part of this review, we will be in touch with any former patients directly and as a matter of priority.”
Separately, the Royal College of Surgeons has also revealed that it was instructed by the Trust to help with its review.
A spokesperson for the RCS said: “At the invitation of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, the Royal College of Surgeons of England has been commissioned to carry out an invited review of a series of episodes of patient care relating to orthopaedic surgery at the Trust.
“Our invited reviews, which are advisory, enable expert teams to determine whether there is cause for concern about surgical practice or a surgical service, and/or individual episodes of care, and to make recommendations for improvement.
“Our unwavering commitment to patient care is why we offer healthcare organisations an invited review service.”
Mr Irwin has not responded to requests for comment by The Northern Echo.