Archived: UKSAS Regional Headquarters Hampshire

Updated 9 January 2017

UKSAS Regional Headquarters Hampshire is part of U.K. Specialist Ambulance Services Limited and was registered on 9 July 2012. It is an independent medical transport provider based in Fareham, Hampshire and has a satellite location at Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. UKSAS Regional Headquarters Hampshire provides 999 emergency services which are commissioned by a regional NHS ambulance trust. Services are staffed by trained paramedics, ambulance technicians and emergency care assistants.

The service was last inspected in April 2013 and was found to be compliant with the five outcomes inspected at that time.

The service provides cover seven days a week, for its contract work. UKSAS Regional Headquarters Hampshire has five whole time equivalent permanently employed staff plus self-employed staff.

We visited two sites, Fareham and Beaconsfield and accompanied staff on ambulances vehicles to observe care given to patients.

We inspected UKSAS Regional Headquarters Hampshire on 23 August 2016 and unannounced on 1 September 2016. This was a comprehensive inspection. We have not rated this service because we do not currently have a legal duty to rate this type of service or the regulated activities which it provides.

Updated 9 January 2017

UKSAS Regional Headquarters Hampshire is part of U.K. Specialist Ambulance Services Limited. It is an independent medical transport provider based in Fareham, Hampshire and has a satellite site at Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. UKSAS Regional Headquarters Hampshire provides emergency and urgent care which is commissioned by a regional NHS ambulance trust. The service had one vehicle for occasional patient transport services but there was not a sufficient service to inspect at the time. Services are staffed by trained paramedics, ambulance technicians and emergency care assistants.

We carried out a scheduled comprehensive inspection on 23 August 2016 and unannounced inspection on 1 September 2016.

We do not currently have a legal duty to rate independent ambulance services but we highlight good practice and issues that service providers need to improve.

Our key findings were as follows: 

• The service had a system in place for reporting and recording incidents. However, learning and action points from incidents were not disseminated to staff.
• Systems and processes were not in place to implement the statutory obligations of Duty of Candour.
• The service did not have a Patient Group Directions (PGDs) policy and did not monitor staff competency to administer authorised medicines.
• Infection control practices needed to improve.
• Staff needed a better understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Mental Health Act to be able to support patients.
• The ambulance service response times were similar to those of the local NHS ambulance contract provider and were line with their contract expectations. However, overall national target times were not being met.
• The service could not demonstrate they were learning from complaints.
• The service needed to improve its governance arrangements to assess and monitor quality and risk issues and to improve service delivery.
• A vision and strategy had not been developed. The service did not always proactively engage all staff, to ensure that the views of all staff were noted and acted on.

However,

• All staff had completed their statutory and mandatory training and ambulance drivers were appropriately trained.
• Equipment was available and appropriately serviced and maintained and vehicles had appropriate checks.
• Medicines were stored safely and were in date.
• Patients were appropriately assessed and monitored and patient records were held securely and included appropriate information.
• Staffing levels were as planned based on activity .
• The service used evidence based practice guidelines and was being ambulance transport arrangements were managed in line with the current standards and legislation.
• Staff had the skills to carry out their roles effectively, and in line with best practice. Staff worked effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Staff had a strong focus on providing caring and compassionate care. We observed staff acting in professional and respectful ways when engaging with patients and their families. Staff enjoyed and felt proud to work for the service.
• Staff felt valued and supported by their peers and the local management team. They were given appropriate training and were completing mandatory training.
• The service was accredited to deliver training to ambulance technicians and was developing links with the local university to mentor paramedic students.

There were areas of poor practice where the location needs to make improvements.

Importantly, the location must ensure:

• There are effective systems to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services provided.
• Internal governance and risk management systems are in place and understood by all staff
• There is learning from incidents and the learning and changes to practices are shared across all staff.
• A vision and strategy for the service is developed and is embedded across the organisation
• The Care Quality Commission of both safeguarding incidents and incidents affecting the running of the service.
• Staff understand and implement the statutory obligations of the duty of candour.
• Staff administer medicines in line with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and that lines of accountability are clear.
• Staff are supported in their roles by effective supervision and appraisal systems.
• Policies and procedures for disposal of clinical waste are followed.

In addition the provider should ensure:

• The service should establish and operate effectively an accessible system for identifying, receiving, recording, handling and responding to complaints by patients. Any complaints received must be investigated and necessary and proportionate action taken. The service should ensure complaints are recorded locally.
• To proactively engage and involve all staff to ensure voices are heard and acted on.
• The service should risk assess the storage location for medical gas cylinders and ensure the temperature is monitored.
• All staff should have adequate training in mental health and learning disability awareness, which is updated at regular intervals to ensure that mental health knowledge is current.

Professor Sir Mike Richards

Chief Inspector of Hospitals

Updated 9 January 2017

We have not rated this service because we do not currently have a legal duty to rate this type of service or the regulated activities which it provides.