Clean bill of health for ambulances

THE North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) was given the all clear following an new type of inspection earlier this year.

The trust volunteered to be the first ambulance service in the country to undergo the new-style inspections, specifically tailored for ambulance services, by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

A total of 60 inspectors in four teams undertook an extensive review of operations and services at the trust, including interviews with patients, staff and partner organisations about their experiences alongside visiting ambulance stations and control rooms.

They found that patients, families and carers were treated with dignity and respect, with “exemplary care” given across the trust.

Inspectors also discovered that systems, processes and practices were also in place to keep people from harm and the trust’s leadership had a clear vision and strategy for the future.

Honest

However, the report added that there were some areas in need of improvement, including reducing the high number of patients taken to hospital when alternative services may have been more appropriate as well as ensuring the “best allocation” of vehicle was assigned to each patient.
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