The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report following an inspection of Mobile Medical Cover, an independent ambulance service based in Grimsby, north east Lincolnshire.
The service provides non-emergency patient transport across Lincolnshire as well as emergency and urgent care at public events.
CQC’s inspection in February was carried out to assess whether Mobile Medical Cover had made improvements, after it was rated inadequate and issued with a warning notice following its previous inspection in November.
This latest inspection considered whether the service is safe and well-led.
CQC found improvements had not been made, and identified concerns regarding patient safety, the standard of equipment and leadership.
As a result, CQC took enforcement action and suspended the provider’s registration until May. Since the inspection, Mobile Medical Cover has provided evidence showing they have taken action to address our concerns and the suspension has been lifted.
Sarah Dronsfield, CQC's head of hospital inspection said:
“We were disappointed to find that no real improvements had been made at Mobile Medical Cover and significant failures were putting people at risk.
“CQC used its powers to immediately suspend the service’s registration to protect people from the risk of avoidable harm, and to give the provider the opportunity to take the necessary actions to address our concerns.
“The provider has since applied to have the suspension removed, and we have agreed to this application, only after receiving evidence showing the provider has taken action to address the areas of concern which put people at risk of harm.
“We will continue to monitor the service closely to ensure people are receiving safe care. If we find this is not happening, we will not hesitate to take further action in line with our regulatory powers.”
The latest inspection found that:
- There were insufficient infection prevention and control measures in place to mitigate the risks of infection to patients. We saw that vehicles were visibly dirty and had not been maintained.
- The service failed to ensure effective systems for the storage, administration and reconciliation of medicines, including medical gases.
- The service failed to demonstrate established or effective processes to ensure compliance.
- The design, maintenance and use of facilities, premises, vehicles and equipment didn’t keep people safe.
- Leaders couldn’t demonstrate they had the skills and abilities to run the service. They couldn’t articulate their understanding and management of the priorities and issues facing the service.
- Leaders were unable to demonstrate how they operated effective governance processes.
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