Southern Medical Rescue Ltd

Updated 9 March 2023

Southern Medical Rescue Limited is an independent ambulance provider. The service provides emergency and urgent care (EUC) services. The service carries out contracted work for an NHS ambulance trust undertaking all category types of calls

The service does not subcontract work out to smaller independent ambulance services.

They were registered with the Care Quality Commission in 2021. The provider is registered for the following regulated activities:

Transport services, triage and medical advice provided remotely

Treatment of disease, disorder and injury

There is a registered manager in post.

The service currently has 2 locations in operation and managers told us staff work across both locations. Equipment and resources were stored at the other location and shared with this location. Therefore, in this report we may cross reference to staff at the location that has been inspected prior to this location and include some of the same information regarding the provider.

Updated 9 March 2023

The service did not have a previous rating. We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Staff provided good care and treatment. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service took account of patients’ individual needs and made it easy for people to give feedback.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services.

However:

• The service did not always control infection risk well
• The service did not always send statutory notifications relating to any abuse or allegations of abuse in relation to service users to the CQC

Updated 9 March 2023