By Private Grimsby ambulance service allowed to operate after damning report
A private ambulance service based in Grimsby has been allowed to resume operations after a report found their vehicle standards inadequate.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) warned Mobile Medical Cover that urgent improvement was needed after inspectors found dirty ambulances were putting patients at risk.
Two ambulances had been found ‘visibly dirty’ upon inspection, and concerns were raised over staff training.
Mobile Medical Cover, an independent ambulance service, provides patient transport across Lincolnshire and emergency care cover at events.
The CQC said standards have now been met and they can resume operations after their inspection in August.
However, a follow up inspection in February found failings remained and the firm was told to stop operating until May.
Dirty vehicles had not been maintained and there were “insufficient” measures in place to prevent risk of infection to patients, inspectors said.
They also found the facilities, premises, vehicles and equipment “didn’t keep people safe”.
Since then the CQC said the company had provided evidence that action had been taken to address those concerns and the suspension had been lifted.
Mark Furneaux, managing director of Mobile Medical Cover, said the firm had accepted the CQC’s findings and had worked with it to rectify the issues.
He added: “We completed this work to a high standard and the CQC accepted the evidence we provided.
“As a result, we are now back providing a high quality service to our patients.
“We are delighted to be doing so and we have received very positive feedback from patients and commissioners alike.”
