Following routine CQC inspections at the Nightingale Hospital Exeter in June, and Castle Place GP Practice in Tiverton in July 2025, both have received overall ratings of 'good' from the regulator. 

Castle Place received ratings of 'good' across all of the areas inspected, and the Nightingale was 'good' in all but one area, with the service scoring 'requires improvement' for safety. This related to mandatory training and appraisal rates being below Trust standards, and we are developing action plans to address this.  

Sam Higginson, Chief Executive Officer at the Royal Devon, said: "Inspections from the Care Quality Commission are an important reflection of how we are doing and we are delighted that both services received good ratings overall. 

"They are also always learning opportunities for us, and we are pleased both reports recognise that where issues were identified, they were resolved swiftly wherever possible.”  

Reflecting the overall 'good' ratings, both reports contain positive reflections on our teams. At Castle Place, 'the service staff always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity.' Colleagues at the Nightingale 'communicated with patients with genuine kindness and compassion and protected patients' dignity.'

Sam continued: "I am proud of our teams, whose patient-centred approach always shines through so strongly."