A cancer centre has been rated “good” overall after a surprise inspection by a health watchdog.

The Paul Strickland Scanner Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood received the rating during an unannounced visit by the Care Quality Commission across four key areas: safe, responsive, well-led and caring.

The independent medical charity, that receives no government funding, provided nearly 18,000 life-changing CT, MRI and PET-CT scans last year.

Patient feedback indicated 99 per cent of those scanned at the centre rated their care as “good”, “very good” or “excellent”.

The CQC rating follows a positive report by Image Services Accreditation Scheme inspectors in January, which is a patient-focussed assessment designed to help improve diagnostic imaging services.

Paul Strickland Scanner Centre chief executive officer Claire Strickland said: “Our team is totally dedicated to providing the highest quality care to our patients and delivering world-class medical research, and we are thrilled about this fantastic result. CQC inspectors set a very high standard and being rated as “good” is something we are very proud of.”