The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Sussex Medical Services - South East

PO Box 5299, Brighton, East Sussex, BN50 8AS 0845 388 8485

Provided and run by:
Sussex Medical Service Ltd

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

14 March 2013

During a routine inspection

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people's safety and welfare. People had received the right levels of care to support their individual needs. Feedback from people who had used the service was positive. Comments included, 'We were very pleased with all the arrangements and the driver was great and helpful. Thank you for your service'.

'Crew were excellent' and 'a very good service, all round good job, well done'.

There was an effective complaints system available. Comments and complaints people made had been responded to appropriately.

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

At our last inspection in November 2012 we identified shortfalls in the management of medicines. Home Office legislation states that paramedics must source their own individual supplies of these medicines and be responsible for their safe keeping. Records seen at that time, showed that some of the controlled drugs used by the paramedics in the service had not been ordered by the paramedics who had then used them. The provider informed us they had taken immediate action to rectify this and supplied us with a copy of their revised medicine policy. They also provided evidence to show that new procedures in relation to the management of medicines had been implemented.This demonstrated they were now compliant in this outcome area.

15 November 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

We undertook this inspection because anonymous concerns had been received in relation to the storage of medicines and gases, and the recruitment and deployment of staff at this service. As part of our inspection we spoke with both directors, one of whom is also the registered manager, the administrator and four members of staff, one of whom was a had managerial responsibilities. We also looked at the storage of medicines and records.

People were not protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider did not have appropriate arrangements in place for obtaining medicines. We found that the arrangements that were in place for the storage of medicines was safe.

Appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.

Staff we spoke with told us that they had the skills and qualifications they needed to undertake their roles. They told us that they had always been deployed to undertake work that they were qualified to do. The providers told us that as part of the recruitment process they had checked the qualifications of prospective staff and obtained copies of relevant training certificates. Records seen confirmed this.

9 February 2012

During a routine inspection

Due to the nature of the service we were unable to speak directly with people who used the ambulance service or observe any care and support being given.

The ambulance service provided feedback forms to people who used their services and we were able to gain patient views from sampling these. The service was also able to demonstrate that it had meetings with providers who commissioned their services to establish feedback and improve their service.

Staff we spoke with were clear about their priorities and told us how patients were supported during their journeys. Some of the staff employed were paramedic trained and we were able to see how they maintained their registration, qualifications and kept up to date with good practice.

During our inspection we were unable to speak with people who used services so we spoke with organisations that commission these services to find out their view of the service provision. We viewed the organisation website and reviewed mechanisms that were in place to capture patient feedback. Among the comments we found were

'fantastic and compassionate service' and efficient, reliable and caring service thank you'.