Legal Experts React After Damning CQC Report

Specialist medical negligence lawyers have warned that patient safety must be the priority after a Care Quality Commission report raised concerns regarding the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

The BBC reports that 14 ambulance stations were inspected earlier this year, with the series of concerns including life-saving equipment being found to be out-of-date or not charged in preparation for use.

Other issues included that responses times for emergency call-outs fell below government targets, infection control and clinical waste procedures not being followed and the general cleanliness of vehicles being called into question.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust accepted that failings were identified and added that progress was being made to address the issues raised.

Commenting on the issue, specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office said it was welcome that action was being taken.

Expert Opinion

“Patient safety should always be the priority for the NHS and with this in mind it is very worrying to see the range of concerns identified by the CQC in relation to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service. <br/> <br/>“Sadly, the nature of our work means we have seen many occasions when patients have suffered as a result of inadequate response times or other complications during treatment by paramedics or ambulance services. <br/> <br/>“Action is being taken to tackle the issues in this specific case and such efforts must continue. <br/> <br/>“In addition, everything possible must be done to ensure that ambulance services up and down the country are always equipped and prepared to provide the best possible care.” Sarah Coles - Partner