• Ambulance service

Criticare UK Ambulance Service

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

13 The Crescent, Marchwood, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 4WS (023) 8112 0112

Provided and run by:
Criticare UK Ambulance Service Limited

Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile

Latest inspection summary

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Overall

Good

Updated 12 February 2025

During the inspection, we visited Criticare UK Ambulance Service at the site where ambulances and equipment such as consumables are stored. We spoke with three members of staff including patient transport drivers and the registered manager. We were unable to speak with any patients or relatives during our inspection because no service users were available for us to contact.

We inspected this service due to receiving information of concern. We assessed 12 quality statements across safe and well-led key questions and have combined the scores for these areas with scores from the last inspection.

At this assessment, we found the service was performing well and meeting expectations of its patients and those who commissioned services from them. However, there were concerns regarding effectiveness of infection prevention and control processes and procedures. There was an open and honest learning culture, incidents and complaints were used as an opportunity for improvement. The service provided safe systems and had patient pathways to ensure continuity of care. There were limited systems and processes to ensure a safe environment, however these were not tailored to the service, not always followed by staff or monitored effectively by leaders. Staffing numbers and competencies were calculated to ensure safe and effective staffing. There were limited governance systems and processes in place to effectively monitor safety, quality and performance in the services.

Patient transport services

Good

Updated 2 December 2024

We inspected Criticare UK Ambulance Service due to receiving information of concern about the service. We assessed 12 quality statements across safe and well-led key questions and have combined the scores for these areas with scores from the last inspection. During the inspection, we visited Criticare UK Ambulance Service at the site where ambulances and equipment such as consumables are stored. We spoke with three members of staff including patient transport drivers and the registered manager. We were unable to speak with any patients or relatives during our inspection because no service users were available for us to contact. At this assessment, we found the service was performing well and meeting expectations of its patients and those who commissioned services from them. However, there were concerns regarding effectiveness of infection prevention and control processes and procedures. There was an open and honest learning culture, incidents and complaints were used as an opportunity for improvement. The service provided safe systems and had patient pathways to ensure continuity of care. There were limited systems and processes to ensure a safe environment, however these were not tailored to the service, not always followed by staff or monitored effectively by leaders. Staffing numbers and competencies were calculated to ensure safe and effective staffing. There were limited governance systems and processes in place to effectively monitor safety, quality and performance in the services.

Emergency and urgent care

Good

Updated 7 November 2019

Patient transport services were the main regulated activity provided by the service. The same staff group provided all services including patient transport, urgent and emergency services and events activity.

We have rated safe, effective, responsive and well-led as good. As we were unable to speak to patients on this inspection we were unable to rate caring. However, we were able to see from patient feedback cards and compliments evidence that staff were caring and compassionate.

Overall, we rated the service as good because the service was responsive in addressing the concerns raised at the last inspection. They complied with all previous warning and requirement notices. The service kept people safe and provided effective care that met people’s needs. The registered manager had developed systems to monitor governance of the service and had implemented new electronic performance management and booking processes to ensure the service was organised and delivered safely. Staff reported they were well supported by a leadership team that was open and had a vision for the future.