A F J Manchester

Updated 27 September 2023

A F J Manchester is operated by A F J Limited. The location has been registered since 4 January 2022 and is located in Failsworth, Manchester. It is an independent ambulance service which provides non-emergency NHS patient transport services to patients over 18 years of age across The North West region as part of a contractual arrangement with North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

The registered location was previously a chapel but is now being used as offices and for internal training. The location has a secure yard for ambulance vehicle storage with a cleaning bay and maintenance facilities. The service has 16 patient transport vehicles and has carried out 53,027 patient transport journeys during the period between January 2022 and April 2023.

This is the first time we have inspected and rated the service. The service is registered to provide the regulated activity of transport services, triage and medical advice provided remotely. The service has had a registered manager in post since its initial registration in January 2022.

Updated 27 September 2023

This is the first time we have rated this service. We rated it as good overall 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. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Staff provided good care and treatment. The service met agreed response times. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients and supported them to make decisions about their care.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for care and treatment.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and stakeholders to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

However:

• Staff did not always use wheelchair seat belts when conveying patients.

Updated 27 September 2023

The main service provided at this location was patient transport services.

We rated this service as good overall. We rated safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led as good.