The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) has marked a major milestone in its mission to improve patient safety, with all 49 hospitals with operating theatres within Circle Health Group now fully accredited under AfPP’s Theatre Accreditation and Audit programme.
AfPP has accredited 49 of Circle’s 54 hospitals and more than 155 operating theatres. With 49 of Circle’s 54 hospitals having operating theatres, this achievement makes Circle the first provider in the independent sector to achieve AfPP Accreditation across all its theatres.
AfPP Theatre Accreditation is a structured process that evaluates a hospital’s perioperative services against evidence-based standards. Built on the AfPP Standards & Recommendations for Safe Perioperative Practice (2022), Accreditation ensures services are aligned with recognised national frameworks.
AfPP Chief Executive Officer, Alex Duke, said: “AfPP Theatre Accreditation is about far more than compliance. It provides reassurance for patients, confidence for staff, and a culture of continuous improvement. Circle Health Group’s achievement sets a powerful benchmark for others in the independent sector and beyond.”
Circle Health Group’s Accreditation journey began in 2020 and concluded this year with the Accreditation of The Ridgeway Hospital in Wroughton. The process is not an inspection, but a supportive review that helps theatre teams reflect on practice, celebrate successes, and identify areas for improvement. Accreditation is valid for two years, with reaccreditation visits ensuring standards are continuously upheld.
Matt Ashman, National Lead for Theatre & Recovery Services at Circle Health Group, described the programme as transformational: “This was never a tick-box exercise - it was a journey of learning and improvement. AfPP’s support gave our teams confidence, direction, and assurance that we are providing care of the highest standard. We are proud that every Circle hospital now carries AfPP Accreditation.”
Matt added: “What really stood out to me was how much our teams grew through the process. Accreditation gave them confidence in their practice and a sense of pride in their achievements. It has strengthened teamwork, built resilience, and reinforced our shared commitment to safe, high-quality care.
“The Accreditation process has been a unifying experience for Circle Health Group. It created consistency across all 49 hospitals while still recognising the individuality of each theatre team. That balance of structure and flexibility has been key to embedding real, sustainable improvement.”
He said at the heart of the process was patients: “AfPP Accreditation has given us the reassurance that every Circle hospital is operating to the same high standard of safety. For patients, that means consistency and confidence when they come into contact with our theatres.”
Circle’s success demonstrates how Accreditation can drive improvement across an entire organisation, fostering consistency while also respecting the individuality of each theatre team.
Beyond Accreditation, AfPP also provides Policy Reviews, Staffing Reviews, Perioperative Peer Reviews, and bespoke Audit Visits - all designed to help hospitals maintain safe, effective, and resilient perioperative services.
For more information on AfPP Accreditation and Audit services, contact:
Sarah Grady - sarah.grady@afpp.org.uk, or visit: https://www.afpp.org.uk/commercial-services/theatre-audit-accreditation/
