While finding a ‘strong learning culture' in medical care the CQC found breaches of regulations in urgent and emergency care in relation to premises and equipment (waiting and escalation areas in the emergency department), staffing (training), person centred care and management processes (consistent records and identifying and assessing risks).

Neil Cox, CQC deputy director of operations in Portsmouth, said: ‘Following our inspection of medical care at Queen Alexandra Hospital we found the service had a strong learning culture where staff could raise concerns and managers investigated incidents to protect people and keep them safe.'

While some improvements were found since the last inspection in the emergency department, the CQC found premises and escalation areas were not always suitable for the purpose they were being used for, not all staff had the training needed to support people with autism and learning disability, and records were not always completed accurately or at the right time.

Penny Emerit, chief executive, said: ‘We welcome the CQC's recent inspection and the recognition of improvement. We know there is more to be done and intend to build on the progress to date.'

Emerit said ‘significant changes' had been made to urgent care pathways with the opening of a new emergency department in November 2024 and welcomed recognition of improved ambulance handover times, while acknowledging more needed to be done in patient flow.