Port of Felixstowe

Updated 6 September 2022

Port of Felixstowe is operated by Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company. The service opened in 1958. It is an independent ambulance service based on the Port of Felixstowe, Suffolk.

At the time of our inspection, the service provided emergency medical care and first aid to the people who worked at, or visited, the Port.

The interim registered manager (RM) was part way through the process of formalising their role as registered manager with CQC.

The service operates from one registered location, Port of Felixstowe, and we carried out a short notice announced inspection of this location on 12 July 2022.

We carried out a short notice announced inspection to ensure we could pass through Port security to gain access to the service. This was the second time we have inspected the service. We initially inspected in January 2017 but we did not have power to rate the service at that time.

The main service provided is urgent and emergency services. During the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 the service treated 275 patients. Illness accounted for 37% (102 patients) and accidents was 63% (173 patients). During the same period, the service transported 68 patients (25%) off site to the local NHS trust.

Updated 6 September 2022

This was the first time we had rated this service. 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. They managed medicines well.
• Staff provided good care and treatment and gave patients pain relief when they needed it. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. 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, and helped them understand their conditions.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of the Port, took account of patients’ individual needs. People could access the service when they needed it.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. The service was committed to improving services continually.

However:

• The service did not monitor the temperature of the room where medicines were stored. This meant we were not assured medicines were being stored within their temperature range.
• Staff did not record consent or allergy status of patients treated for minor injuries on the minor injuries report form.
• The service did not actively gather patient feedback.
• There was no evidence of staff engagement.

Updated 6 September 2022

This was the first time we had rated this service. 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. They managed medicines well.
• Staff provided good care and treatment and gave patients pain relief when they needed it. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. 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, and helped them understand their conditions.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of the Port, took account of patients’ individual needs. People could access the service when they needed it.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. The service was committed to improving services continually.

However:

• The service did not monitor room temperature of the room where medicines were stored. This meant we could not be assured medicines were being stored within their temperature range.
• Staff did not record consent or allergy status of patients treated for minor injuries on the minor injuries report form.
• The service did not actively gather patient feedback.
• There was no evidence of staff engagement.