By Ambulance service in Grimsby rated “inadequate” due to dirty vehicles that compromised safety
An independent ambulance service in Grimsby has been rated as inadequate after inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found dirty vehicles that “threatened patient safety”.
Mobile Medical Cover – based on Spencer Street – has been urged to make urgent improvements following the inspection in August, which found two ambulances “visibly dirty” and highlighted concerns over staff training.
In response, the independent ambulance service said it had been working “diligently” to make changes.
Mobile Medical Cover is made up of 300 staff who are mostly self-employed, and provides patient transport to the Diana, Princess of Wales hospital in Grimsby. It also provides emergency care cover at events in the area.
In its report following the unannounced inspection, the CQC wrote: “The service did not control infection risk well. Staff did not thoroughly assess or record risks to patients. The service did not manage or store medicines, including medical gases, safely.
“We did not see evidence the service had processes in place to share lessons learned from safety incidents. Fire and health and safety risks had not been addressed at the service’s premises. Managers did not adequately monitor the effectiveness of the service.
“Not all staff had access to information such as company policies and procedures. Leaders did not always run services well using a reliable information system. Staff did not understand the service’s vision and values, or how to apply them in their work.”
However, the report states that the service had enough staff to care for patients, that staff appeared “caring” and worked together to provide effective care, and that transport staff had training in key skills.
Mark Furneaux, managing director of Mobile Medical Cover, told Gi Media: “During our recent inspection the CQC highlighted a number of areas that needed some improvement. We have worked diligently over the last two months and have completed the actions required by the CQC to make the required changes to our systems and processes.
“Our vehicle cleaning and infection control procedures have always ensured all of our ambulances are cleaned above and beyond the standards expected.
“The two vehicles that the CQC mentioned in the report had just returned from a festival. They had not yet been through the deep cleaning process and were not in use until this had taken place.”
