QE Facilities Patient Transport

Updated 11 November 2022

QE Facilities patient transport services (PTS) undertake non-urgent and planned transportation of patients requiring PTS with a medical need for transport on their journey. The patient transport service operates using a fleet of fully equipped and purpose-designed vehicles, consistent with the varying medical needs of patients (from the provider’s latest Statement of Purpose, 11 July 2022).

The provider was registered on 25 March 2021 to carry out the regulated activity ‘transport services, triage and medical advice provided remotely’.

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection.

QE Facilities were set up by an NHS acute hospital to help support some of their additional pressures. PTS is part of the trust’s transport team and the only part of the service which is separately registered with CQC. Initially the service offered discharge support for the hospital. They were originally based on the trust site and had recently moved to Washington.

The provider does not transport any children, bariatric patients, palliative patients requiring medical support or patients detained under the mental health act using secure transportation.

This was our first inspection of the service since it registered.

Updated 11 November 2022

We had not inspected this service before. 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. The service controlled infection risk 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 collected safety information and used it to improve the service.
• Staff provided good care and treatment and assessed patients’ food and drink requirements. The service met agreed response times. Managers ensured staff were competent for their roles. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. 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 and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

Updated 11 November 2022