Archived: G & A Southcoast Ambulance Service

Comments we received about the service, from organisations that used the service and feedback questionnaires provided to the service, included: "They are very amenable and helpful. We have received no complaints or negative feedback"; "Very efficient, extremely helpful, always on time and well organised", "Very quick and efficient"; Friendly and supportive", "A stress free process" and "They stopped on route (for refreshments) for my mother."

People were not transported or treatment given without their consent. The registered provider understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which protects people unable to make decisions about their own welfare. People's needs were assessed and records kept of transport provided or treatment given toward a safe and efficient service. The ambulance service understood their duty of care to ensure people were not left in an unsafe or vulnerable position.

Ambulances were legal and in a good state of repair for people's comfort and safety.

The service was monitoring the service more effectively through feedback questionnaires and check lists of crew competence with equipment.

For a second time there were not adequate checks that freelance crew were fit, qualified, skilled and safe to work with patients, although there was no information that this had put people at risk.

We found that G & A Southcoast Ambulance Service provided a responsive and flexible service. People who had professional contact with the service described them as reliable, punctual, respectful and compassionate. The provider listened to information about people's needs and took action to ensure they were met. Appropriate equipment was provided to meet people's needs and ensure they were comfortable and safe.

We identified shortfalls in relation to the staffing of the service. This was because appropriate checks were not carried out on people employed by the providers to work with them on a casual basis. There was also no effective system in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received and ensure compliance with the regulations was maintained.