Ramsay Health Care UK (Ramsay UK) is pleased to share Tees Valley Hospital in Middlesbrough has been formally accredited as an Elective Surgical Hub, following an independent national assessment.
The accreditation was awarded by the NHS England Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, a clinically led, data-driven consultancy service that applies to public and privately funded healthcare systems based on the proven methodology of the GIRFT programme.
Elective surgical hubs play a key role in national plans to increase surgical capacity and help more patients access planned procedures more quickly. These dedicated hubs focus on ‘high volume low complexity’ surgery with particular emphasis on ophthalmology, general surgery, trauma and orthopaedics, gynaecology, ear nose and throat, and urology. By improving efficiency and quality, they enable shorter waiting times, higher rates of same-day discharge and reduced need for follow up treatment.
Ramsay UK was invited to take part in the accreditation programme as part of an Independent Sector Provider pilot which included only two independent sector hospital participants. Tees Valley Hospital underwent a detailed assessment against a defined set of clinical and operational standards. While accreditation is voluntary, it provides independent assurance that organisations are delivering care in line with nationally recognised best practice. The scheme is supported by the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal College of Anaesthetists.
The assessment framework covers:
- The patient pathway
- Staff and training
- Clinical governance and outcomes
- Facilities and ring-fencing
- Utilisation and productivity
Following the assessment, Tees Valley Hospital was found to demonstrate:
- An exceptionally well organised, high performing effective elective care model.
- Streamlined patient pathways and a culture of positive multi-disciplinary team (MDT) working and accountability.
- A very strong, well-established clinical governance framework is in place, with clear oversight arrangements and evidence of consistent implementation.
- Patient outcomes are positive and are supported by detailed review of key metrics, with actions identified, tracked, and used to drive continuous improvement.
- Patients are consistently prioritised and their needs thoughtfully considered.
- Staff across all areas feel valued, equal, and encouraged to be involved in service improvement. Staff are motivated, with visibly high morale, and understand what is expected of them.
While celebrating this positive feedback and accreditation, the review also identified a small number of opportunities for further improvement to enhance the patient pathway and reviewing the theatre utilisation and productivity for surgical activity which can be safely performed in outpatient settings which the hospital is already addressing as part of its ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
In 2025, Tees Valley Hospital performed over 11,000 operations for patients seeking treatment privately or through NHS referrals, helping to connect local people to the healthcare services they need. With national waiting lists remaining above pre-pandemic levels, this accreditation further highlights Tees Valley Hospital’s ability to deliver high‑quality elective care both safely and efficiently. It also reflects Ramsay’s wider contribution to NHS recovery efforts, supporting initiatives to reduce waiting times while maintaining excellent patient outcomes. Ramsay consistently achieves above industry average patient satisfaction scores, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to delivering outstanding patient experience alongside clinical excellence.
Jo Dickson, Chief Clinical and Quality Officer at Ramsay Health Care UK said:
“I am incredibly proud of our team at Tees Valley Hospital for achieving this accreditation, which is a strong endorsement of the quality, safety and efficiency of the care they provide every day. It also reflects the commitment, professionalism and teamwork we see across Ramsay UK, as our colleagues continue to deliver excellent outcomes and experience for patients while supporting the wider elective recovery effort by the NHS. This recognition is a credit to everyone involved, and we will continue to build on it through shared learning, continuous improvement and a relentless focus on high-quality patient care.”
Sandra Donoguhe, Hospital Director at Tees Valley Hospital said:
“We are delighted that Tees Valley Hospital has been formally accredited as an Elective Surgical Hub. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and their continued focus on delivering safe, efficient and high-quality care for patients across our region. It also reinforces the important role we play in supporting faster access to planned surgery and improving the experience and outcomes for the patients we serve.”
Professor Tim Briggs CBE led the Accreditation visit and also serves as NHS England National Director of Clinical Improvement, Elective Recovery, UEC, and GIRFT programme lead.
Professor Tim Briggs CBE said:
“Congratulations to Ramsay Health Care UK and the team at Tees Valley Hospital on achieving accreditation as an elective surgical hub. This is a significant accomplishment and a clear reflection of the organisation’s commitment to delivering high-quality, efficient planned care for their patients.
“Elective surgical hubs have an important role to play in improving productivity, supporting recovery and ensuring patients can access treatment as quickly and safely as possible, whether that is at an NHS hub or a hub run by the independent sector. This accreditation recognises the hard work, leadership and dedication of everyone involved in ensuring that Tees Valley Hospital delivers the highest clinical and operational standards”