County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

What County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust does

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) is an NHS Foundation Trust in the North East of England, established in 2009 and constituted as a public benefit corporation. It operates as an integrated secondary and community healthcare provider, delivering acute, planned, and community services across nine hospital sites — two acute hospitals, one planned care hospital, and six community hospitals — and serving a resident population of approximately 650,000 across County Durham and Darlington. The Trust directly employs more than 7,500 staff and is supported by a wholly-owned subsidiary, Synchronicity Care Limited, which delivers estates, facilities management, and procurement services across the group.

The Trust's revenue model is rooted in public commissioning: services are provided free at the point of use and funded primarily through NHS England and the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board via block contracts, payment-by-results, and targeted elective recovery allocations. Patient-facing technology includes a Patient Engagement Portal accessed through the NHS App, and operational infrastructure includes an ANPR-based parking system, Net Zero 2045 commitments, and GreenED Bronze accreditation. The Trust also operates the CDDFT Charity and maintains a research partnership with Durham University to underpin clinical research and workforce development.

Commercially and reputationally, CDDFT is currently navigating a turnaround phase. An independent review of breast surgery services triggered a major reform programme, the Care Quality Commission has rated the Trust as inadequate, and a new executive team is in place. Despite these headwinds, the Trust retains statutory monopoly positioning for publicly funded healthcare across its catchment and continues to operate across the full continuum of acute and community care pathways.

Name

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Legal name

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Website

https://cddft.nhs.uk

Company type

Public

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in North East England serving around 650,000 residents across nine hospital sites, employing over 7,500 staff to deliver integrated acute, planned, and community healthcare.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Darlington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. NHS Core Services Funding: Core healthcare services funded through NHS England and government allocations. Services include acute care, emergency services, maternity, outpatient clinics, community services, and specialist treatments provided free at point of use
2. CDDFT Charity Donations: Charitable donations through CDDFT Charity supporting staff and investing in healthcare facilities, equipment, services, and research to enhance patient and family care experience
3. Hospital Parking Charges: Car parking fees at hospital sites including hourly rates (Up to 2 hours: £3.60, 2-3 hours: £4.80, 3-6 hours: £7.60, 6+ hours: £10.00) with exemptions for blue badge holders, frequent outpatients, and cancer patients

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is a publicly funded NHS Foundation Trust providing comprehensive acute, planned, and community healthcare services to a population of 650,000 across County Durham and Darlington. It operates 2 acute hospitals, 1 planned care centre, and 6 community hospitals delivering 24/7 emergency care, surgery, maternity, outpatient, diagnostic, rehabilitation, and 24-hour district nursing services free at the point of use.

Product overview

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust provides healthcare services through a network of acute hospitals, community hospitals, and community-based services. The Trust operates two main acute hospitals (Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham), a planned care centre (Bishop Auckland Hospital), and six community hospitals (Chester-Le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Sedgefield, Richardson, Weardale, and Peterlee). Services span emergency and urgent care, maternity, surgery, diagnostics, outpatient care, physiotherapy, and community nursing. The Trust has a subsidiary company, Synchronicity Care Limited (SCL), providing estates, facilities, and procurement services. A Patient Engagement Portal accessible through the NHS App enables digital appointment letters. The Trust's charitable arm (CDDFT Charity) supports staff and invests in facilities, equipment, and research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CDDFT Charity: The Trust's affiliated NHS charity supporting staff and investing in healthcare facilities, equipment, services, and research.
• Synchronicity Care Limited (SCL)

Products and services

• University Hospital of North Durham (UHND) Main acute hospital site serving the local community with emergency care (A&E 24/7), GP-led urgent treatment centre (available 6pm-8am weekdays and 24/7 weekends/bank holidays), maternity services, outpatient services, and diagnostic services. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
• Darlington Memorial Hospital (DMH) One of the main acute hospital sites providing emergency care (24/7), urgent treatment centre, surgical services (general, orthopaedic, specialist), maternity services, outpatient services, and diagnostic services including advanced imaging and laboratory tests. Features state-of-the-art technology.
• Bishop Auckland Hospital (BAH) Centre for planned care providing urgent care, surgery with clean air theatres supporting orthopaedic surgery excellence, advanced imaging, and diagnostic services. Minor injuries service available Monday to Friday 8am-8pm with urgent treatment centre out of hours.
• Chester-Le-Street Community Hospital Provides outpatient care, rehabilitation, and community health support with dedicated clinics in physiotherapy, podiatry, rheumatology, and respiratory care. Offers diagnostic services including X-rays, blood tests, and ultrasound.
• Shotley Bridge Community Hospital Provides urgent care (24/7 urgent treatment centre), outpatient services, dedicated cancer care unit, and elderly care/rehabilitation ward services.
• Sedgefield Community Hospital Offers outpatient care and diagnostic services with a focus on providing high-quality services in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
• Richardson Community Hospital (Barnard Castle) Supports rehabilitation, elderly care, and long-term support for patients with chronic conditions. Provides inpatient care with physiotherapy and occupational therapy rehabilitation services, plus outpatient services.
• Weardale Community Hospital (Stanhope) Provides outpatient and inpatient care specialising in rehabilitation and post-acute care, helping patients recover after illness, injury, or surgery with physiotherapy and occupational therapy services.
• Peterlee Community Hospital Provides minor injuries service Monday to Friday 8am-8pm and urgent treatment centre service out of hours and on weekends/bank holidays.
• Emergency Care Services A&E departments at University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital providing 24/7 urgent and emergency medical care for the population of County Durham and Darlington.
• Maternity Services Complete maternity care from prenatal to postnatal support at University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.
• Urgent Treatment Centre GP-led service open 24/7 at Darlington Memorial Hospital and available at University Hospital of North Durham (6pm-8am weekdays, 24/7 weekends), treating minor injuries and minor illness. Appointments can be booked via NHS 111.
• Physiotherapy Rehabilitation services helping patients recover from surgeries, injuries, or illnesses with therapy support across multiple hospital sites.
• Sexual Health Services Sexual health services provided to the community across County Durham and Darlington.
• District Nursing Service 24-hour nursing, healthcare, and case management services to housebound patients in their own homes or residential nursing homes, 365 days a year. Access via Single Point of Access on 03000 267 979.
• Patient Engagement Portal Digital platform accessible through the NHS App enabling patients to receive outpatient appointment letters digitally on smartphones, tablets, or computers instead of postal delivery.
• Research & Innovation Partnership with Durham University for clinical trials, joint research projects, and innovative treatments. Includes Centre for Clinical Research and Innovation at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
• Synchronicity Care Limited (SCL) Wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing high quality estates, facilities, and procurement services to the Trust.
• CDDFT Charity Local NHS Charity supporting CDDFT staff and investing in healthcare facilities, equipment, services, and research to enhance patient and family care.
• Breast Surgery Services Breast surgery services that underwent independent governance review. Currently strengthening safety, quality, and oversight with new oncoplastic breast surgeons and improved multidisciplinary team processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 650,000 population across County Durham and Darlington
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Durham UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDynamic partnership bringing together clinical expertise of the Trust and academic expertise of one of the UK's leading universities. Collaborations include psychology study at Bishop Auckland Hospital Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, Long Covid consultancy evaluation with Mathematical Sciences department, and 'Bridging the Gap' CPD programme developing research skills in qualitative/quantitative methods and funding bids.
• Synchronicity Care Limited (SCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly owned subsidiary company dedicated to providing high quality estates, facilities, and procurement services. Contributes to overall mission of providing safe, compassionate and joined-up patient care. SCL manages contracts register and procurement services for the Trust.
• AuditOnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS consortium providing counter fraud services to NHS and independent healthcare provider organisations across the North of England. Hosted by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. Delivers full range of counter fraud, bribery and corruption services including prevention, detection, and investigation. Trust's counter fraud specialist: Steven Sherwood-Hodgson.
• Darlington Borough CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder appointed governor seat on Council of Governors with 1 representative seat
• Durham County CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder appointed governor seat on Council of Governors with 1 representative seat
• Teesside UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder appointed governor seat on Council of Governors with 1 representative seat
• North East Ambulance Service NHS TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder appointed governor seat on Council of Governors with 1 representative seat
• NENC ICB (North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder appointed governor seat on Council of Governors with 1 representative seat
• Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder appointed governor seat on Council of Governors with 1 representative seat
• Healthwatch DurhamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder appointed governor seat on Council of Governors with 1 representative seat representing patient and public involvement
• Healthwatch DarlingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder appointed governor seat on Council of Governors with 1 representative seat representing patient and public involvement
• NHS ResolutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent body managing all claims related to breast surgery services review. Patients impacted can make claims directly with NHS Resolution or obtain legal representation for support.
• Cabinet Office - National Fraud InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMandatory participant in Cabinet Office's National Fraud Initiative - data matching exercise to assist in prevention and detection of fraud. Required to provide particular sets of data for matching exercises.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust: Integrated NHS Foundation Trust providing acute and community services across north and west Cumbria. Directly comparable as a multi-site NHS Trust with a similar rural/community-hospital footprint and a digital innovation agenda.
• South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Regional NHS Foundation Trust operating The James Cook University Hospital and Friarage Hospital across Middlesbrough and Northallerton. Comparable as a multi-site acute NHS Foundation Trust with academic and research partnerships in the North East and North Yorkshire.
• Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust: Adjacent NHS Foundation Trust operating the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and community services in Gateshead. Comparable acute and community operating model, similar scale, and overlapping North East catchment.
• South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust: Acute NHS Foundation Trust formed by merger of South Tyneside and City Hospitals Sunderland. Directly comparable as a multi-site NHS Foundation Trust with an integrated acute and community model serving a defined North East population.
• Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust: Neighbouring NHS Foundation Trust operating acute and community hospitals across North Tyneside and Northumberland. Directly comparable integrated acute-and-community operating model, similar Foundation Trust governance, and similar population-scale mandate in the North East of England.
• Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Major NHS Foundation Trust operating the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Comparable in providing secondary and tertiary acute services, NHS Foundation Trust status, and serving a North East population, with stronger research and specialist tertiary profile.

Regional players

• Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust: Mental health and learning disability NHS Foundation Trust covering County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, and North Yorkshire. Directly overlaps CDDFT's catchment and holds a Council of Governors seat, but operates in mental health rather than acute services.
• Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust: Mental health and disability NHS Foundation Trust serving an overlapping North East geography. Related as a regional NHS Foundation Trust partner (host of AuditOne) and a fellow NENC ICB system participant, but focused on mental health rather than acute physical healthcare.

Broad incumbents

• York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Teaching NHS Foundation Trust operating multiple acute and community hospitals across North Yorkshire. Comparable as a multi-site NHS Foundation Trust with research/teaching links and a North of England footprint, though at a larger scale and different geography.

Others

• North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust: North East regional NHS Foundation Trust providing emergency ambulance and patient transport services. Adjacent ecosystem participant with a Council of Governors seat at CDDFT and a closely linked operational interface through A&E and urgent care pathways.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCddFT
• Xx.com/CDDFTNHS
• Facebookfacebook.com/CDDFT

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust