The inspection of the CHU Caen Normandie in Caen, France took place on 11-12 June 2026. The inspection team consisted of the following inspectors:
JACIE Quality Management Trainee: Despoina Moutsoglou
Quality Management Inspector and Team Leader: Lea Brandt Kristensen
Clinical Inspector: Kavita Raj
Collection Inspector: Anne Bailey
By Despoina Moutsoglou, Quality Manager, Processing Facility Wolfson Cellular Therapy Unit (WCTU) at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.
My first inspection as a trainee inspector certainly started with an adventure. Getting to Caen from London involved two trains and a taxi amidst a SNCF strike in Paris; all before the inspection had even begun!
The visit took place in a strictly French speaking city, with the inspection conducted in English with the help of three professional interpreters.
Most of the staff spoke only very basic English, which could have been a barrier, but it never got in the way of their enthusiasm or willingness to engage. A smile, patience, and the occasional helping hand from colleagues turned out to be a universal language.
What struck me the most was the warmth of the welcome we received. The team were incredibly hospitable, experienced, and clearly passionate about the care they provide. There were many examples of excellent practice, although they didn't always present their achievements in the strongest way. It was a good reminder that not every centre is good at telling its own story- and that's where inspectors need to look beyond the presentation and understand what is really happening in practice.
Of course, no trip to France would be complete without enjoying the local cuisine, and I'm happy to report that it certainly lived up to expectations!
I was also lucky to be part of such a supportive inspection team. As a trainee, I couldn't have asked for better people to learn from. Their experience, encouragement, a good humour made me feel part of the team from the very beginning.
By the end of the visit, I had learned far more than just how an inspection works. I learned that good practice doesn't always come with polished presentations and a spotless quality management system. That communication is about much more than language, and that sometimes the biggest challenge of the day is simply making all your train connections!