Woking ambulance service placed in special measures following CQC inspection

An independent ambulance service has been placed in special measures and told it must take action to keep people safe, following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Reliance Ambulance Station, which is based near Chobham in Surrey, was rated as ‘inadequate’ after a visit in January.  The report stated that one ambulance, which “was about to be deployed” was “visibly dirty” and had a soiled stretcher.

The service has apologised and said it felt “deflated” by the rating.

The CQC said the service, which provides patient transport both for the NHS and privately, was rated inadequate in relation to whether it was effective, well-led and responsive, but not in the caring domain, as there was a lack of evidence in this respect.

Amanda Williams, head of hospital inspection, said there were a number of concerns, including that the service did not always have appropriate policies in place to ensure it was run competently.

In a statement, Reliance said “We feel deflated by the recent rating of ‘inadequate’ by the CQC and would like to take the opportunity to apologise to anyone who feels they have not received the service they should have.”

It added “We recognise the company is in need of improvement and we have taken immediate action to create a detailed action plan and make all necessary changes.”

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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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