ERS Medical South

Our rating of this location stayed the same. We rated it as good 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 collected safety information and used it to improve the service.
• Staff provided good care and treatment and assessed patients’ food and drink requirements. The service met agreed response times. Managers ensured staff were competent for their roles. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs. 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 the service.
• 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 the community to plan and manage services, and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

However:

• The service did not always ensure that medicines were managed in a safe way. Expired oxygen cylinders were found on the vehicles, and oxygen cylinders were not always safely stored within the vehicles.
• The service did not always ensure all employees had appropriate and validated references in place prior to commencing employment.
• Leaders did not always identify and escalate relevant risks and issues.