CQC welcomes improvements at Malton ambulance station

Yormed Ambulance Station, run by YorMed Limited has two emergency ambulances which can provide emergency and urgent care transfers with wheelchair, stretcher and specialist bariatric requirements.

The inspection was carried out in patient transport services to follow up on the progress of improvements they were told to make at the previous inspection in November 2023, when the service was issued two warning notices and requirement notices.

CQC also looked at emergency and urgent care after being issued with a requirement notice after its last inspection.

At this latest inspection, all the required actions had been addressed and requirements had been met.

CQC also followed up on a number of whistleblowing concerns regarding safe care and treatment to people.

Although the concerns were unsubstantiated, and CQC was reassured about the quality of care being provided following this inspection, it is grateful for the feedback that people chose to submit which helps CQC monitor services.

The ratings are as follows:

Patient transport services – as well as the overall rating improving from inadequate to good, so have the ratings for safe and well-led. Effective and responsive have improved from requires improvement to good. There was insufficient evidence to rate caring, therefore it remains unrated.

Emergency and urgent care – this has improved from requires improvement to good overall, as well as for being safe, effective and well-led. Responsive has been re-rated as good. Again, there was insufficient evidence to rate caring, and so it remains unrated.

Alan Stephenson, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: “We found the service had made significant improvements since our last inspections, with leaders responding positively to the concerns raised in the warning notices and requirements notices to focus their attention on specific improvements. Staff now provided safe care and treatment to people of all ages.

“It was lovely to hear about staff going above and beyond for people. For example, they bought someone a television for their room in a care home where they were living. They had been discharged from hospital in the winter and the crew wanted to cheer them up during the dark nights.

“Additionally, ambulance crews ensured people being discharged to cold or empty accommodation had some food, and if necessary, would buy them food including fish and chips. Also, staff had helped people put electricity on their meter and cover the cost of essential groceries.

“Everyone at Yormed Ambulance Station should be proud of their new rating and their efforts to improve the service. We have shared our findings with them so they can continue to build on their progress and make sure the improvements are sustained.”

Inspectors found at patient transport services:

The service had staffing levels to meet the needs of people.

The premises and equipment were appropriate for the service being delivered.

Managers shared learning with partner organisations such as regional NHS ambulance services.

Inspectors found in emergency and urgent care:

Incidents were investigated, learning was shared, and actions were taken where necessary.

Safeguarding leads had received the correct level of training.

Both ambulances had all suitable equipment onboard. No faults or issues were found.

The report will be published on CQC’s website in the next few days.