Grimsby ambulance firm vowing to make improvements after inspectors rated it as "inadequate"
The firm covers events and provides some patient transport
A Grimsby ambulance firm which was described as ‘inadequate’ in a CQC report says it has worked hard to make improvements.
Mobile Medical Cover was criticised for a range of issues threatening patient safety, including dirty vehicles and concerns over staff training.
Managing director Mark Furneaux says that the changes required by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) have now been made.
Inspectors found that two ambulances which were flagged as ‘ready to use’ were in fact ‘visibily dirty’.
The independent Grimsby firm says that they had just returned from a festival, and hadn’t been through a deep-cleaning process yet.
Mr Furneaux said: “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.”
Mobile Medical Cover Ltd provides patient transport and emergency care cover at events.
At the time of its inspection, the firm had no patient transport contract in place, but provided crews and ambulances to local healthcare providers when needed.
The watchdog found that the competency of its staff wasn’t checked as the company deemed it sufficient that most were employed by NHS providers.
CQC head of hospital inspection Sarah Dronsfield said:
“It was disappointing that despite being told to take action to improve cleanliness, their building and storage areas were dirty and disorganised, with sterile and non-sterile equipment being stored together.
“People were being put at risk of harm as they were cared for by staff who weren’t taking enough measures to protect them against infection as they weren’t following their own cleaning guidance.
“We inspected two ambulances which staff informed us were ready to use, but both were visibly dirty.
“We found events staff didn’t receive a formal induction or training and were told this would be done on site during the start of their shift. However, we didn’t see any evidence that their competency was assessed, putting people at risk if they fell ill, as staff might not have the skills to treat them.”
But the inspectors also found that the service has enough staff to care for patients and “staff appeared caring and worked together to provide effective care”.