Ambulance service rated inadequate by CQC over dirty vehicles threatening patient safety

The Care Quality Commission has warned Mobile Medical Cover, an independent service based in Grimsby, to make urgent improvements.

 

It said that an inspection in August found two ambulances “visibly dirty” and highlighted concerns over staff training.

 

The service has said it had been working “diligently” to make changes.

 

Mobile Medical Cover, which has a workforce of 300 mostly self-employed staff, provides patient transport and emergency care cover at events and has previously served at an NHS hospital.

 

In its report, the CQC said the company had to take urgent action after the ambulances had been flagged as “ready to use” when they were not clean.  There was no evidence the firm was checking the competency of staff and their skills, which was “putting people at risk”.

 

The watchdog added that there were concerns about fire safety and cleanliness at their premises, which was putting staff in danger, as well as issues with safeguarding checks, infection control, management of stored medicines and medical gases.

 

Sarah Dronsfield, the watchdog’s head of hospital inspection, 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.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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