Publish date: 16 October 2026
ACSA reaccreditation for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for high-quality patient care
Northumbria Healthcare Trust has been reaccredited under the prestigious Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation ACSA) scheme, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to patient safety and excellence of care.
ACSA is the RCoA’s peer-reviewed scheme that promotes quality improvement and the highest standards of anaesthetic service. To receive accreditation, departments are expected to demonstrate high standards in areas such as patient experience, patient safety and clinical leadership.
ACSA lead reviewer, Dr Rachel Smith Consultant Anaesthetist at Northumbria NHS trust, said: “At Northumbria Healthcare Trust we are proud to have gained ACSA re-accreditation, a reflection of our departmental teamwork and commitment to excellence across patient pathways and care.
“Northumbria covers one of the largest geographical areas by healthcare provider in England, delivering anaesthetic care across 5 sites within our Trust. Good practice was specifically attributed to our Trust wide pre-assessment service demonstrating our triage assessment, patient centred care and regular patient feedback. Each site hosted a visit by the ACSA team and we were pleased to demonstrate consistent patient pathways and standardised availability of equipment.
“Northumbria is noted to prioritise the health and wellbeing of staff and we are delighted to receive recognition for our Trauma and Risk Management (TRiM) service and hot debrief process following medical emergencies.
“Compliance with the ACSA standards has enabled staff training and updates to be ringfenced; robust governance procedures to be upheld and the training and wellbeing of our residents to be prioritised.
“We look forward to meeting our future challenges in accordance with the high standards ACSA affords.”
Dr Claire Shannon, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists said:
“Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s reaccreditation is a significant achievement and recognition of the outstanding work taking place across its anaesthetic services. The department has shown a clear commitment not only to delivering excellent patient care, but also to supporting staff wellbeing and creating a positive culture where quality and safety are embedded in everyday practice.”
Lay reviewer, Ms Jenny Dorey, also commented: “It was a great pleasure to visit the Anaesthetic department at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The care and support you provide to patients is really focused around individual needs and convenience, and consistently takes account of the specific challenges you have, including geography and multiple sites.
“There is good co-ordination and liaison between the different hospitals and with primary care and a real sense that patients and staff are all part of the same community. “Well done everyone and congratulations on revalidation of your ACSA accreditation.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists
Anaesthesia is the largest single hospital specialty in the NHS. The Royal College of Anaesthetists is the professional body responsible for the specialty throughout the UK. The RCoA ensures the quality of patient care through the maintenance of standards in anaesthesia, critical care and pain medicine. www.rcoa.ac.uk