3 July 2026
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its first Well-Led report for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust since the organisation was formed in October 2024. The report follows a Well-Led assessment which took place in November 2025.
The Trust has been rated Requires Improvement overall for Well-Led. This assessment focuses specifically on leadership, culture, governance and organisational systems, rather than the quality of care provided.
While the overall rating is disappointing, the CQC highlight many positive areas and recognise the huge progress to bring services together following the merger. At the same time, the findings reinforce areas where we know we need to keep improving.
Trust Chief Executive, Ron Shields, said: “The CQC’s findings reflect where we are as an organisation that has made strong headway following a large and complex merger, with more to do to embed consistent leadership, systems and processes that enable our staff to deliver the best possible care.
“Most importantly, the CQC heard overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients and carers about the care they receive. This reflects the professionalism and commitment of our staff and the strength of the services they deliver.
“It is also positive that, in the first Well Led assessment following the merger, the CQC recognises the significant progress made in bringing the new Trust together. It highlights strengths in collaborative leadership, strategy development and partnership working.
“These findings will help us continue improving and developing the way we work.”
The Trust is already taking forward a clear programme of improvement, aligned with our Trust Strategy, People Plan and wider organisational priorities. Updates will be shared regarding this work.
This Well Led Report follows seven reports of clinical service inspections, which have been published this year regarding 2025 assessments. Five of these were ‘good’ overall (across the domains of ‘Safe’, ‘Effective’, ‘Caring’, ‘Responsive’ and ‘Well Led’) and two were ‘requires improvement’ overall. Again, throughout all inspections the CQC highlighted how caring and compassionate our staff are.
The full CQC report is available on the CQC website.