Circle Health Group has become the first provider in the independent sector to achieve Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) accreditation across all of its operating theatres.
AfPP confirmed that 49 Circle hospitals with theatres – covering more than 155 operating theatres – are now fully accredited under its Theatre Accreditation and Audit programme. Circle operates 54 hospitals in total.
AfPP Theatre Accreditation is a structured process that evaluates perioperative services against evidence-based standards, built on the organisation’s Standards & Recommendations for Safe Perioperative Practice (2022). 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 required to maintain standards.
Circle’s accreditation journey began in 2020 and concluded this year with The Ridgeway Hospital in Wroughton.
AfPP chief executive 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.’
Matt Ashman, national lead for theatre and recovery services at Circle Health Group, said: ‘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.’
He added that the process had been ‘a unifying experience’ for the group, creating consistency across hospitals while allowing for individual practice within theatre teams.
AfPP also provides policy reviews, staffing reviews, perioperative peer reviews and audit visits to support hospitals in maintaining safe and resilient perioperative services.
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