Archived: CIRE Ambulance Service

Updated 3 July 2023

Since our inspection we have now cancelled the provider registration.

CIRE Ambulance Service Ltd is an independent ambulance service. The service’s registered headquarters is in Newcastle Upon Tyne. The service first registered in 2020 and the current registered manager has been in place since then. The service is registered for transport services, triage, and medical advice provided remotely.

They transport adults 18 years and over and those detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA) or Mental Capacity Act (MCA). The service also provides transport from NHS trusts and independent health providers to other locations such as hospitals, places of safety, and to and from court.

In June 2022 CQC received information of concern about CIRE Ambulance Service Ltd. A decision was made on the 15th of July 2022 to issue the provider with a notice of decision to urgently suspend the provider registration to carry out regulated activity until 17th October 2022.In October 2022 a further focused inspection was carried out and a further decision to extend the providers suspension was issued.

The provider has never been previously inspected or rated.

This inspection was an unannounced focused inspection of the safe and well-led domains to gain assurance the provider had acted in response to the issues highlighted in the notice of decision to urgently suspend the provider's registration to carry out regulated activity.

Updated 3 July 2023

Our rating of this location stayed the same. We rated it as inadequate because:

• There was no assurance that mandatory training and key skills was provided to all staff. Staff could not demonstrate how to protect patients from abuse. The provider did not control infection risk well. The design, maintenance and use of facilities, premises, vehicles, and equipment did not keep people safe. The provider could not demonstrate that it had enough staff. Risk assessments were not completed for each patient and did not remove or minimise risks. Records were not kept clear or up-to-date or stored securely. The provider was not registered to administer medications.The provider did not manage patient safety incidents.
• Leaders could not demonstrate they had the skills and abilities to run the service. Leaders could not demonstrate how they operated effective governance processes, throughout the service. Leaders and teams could not evidence how they used systems to manage performance effectively.

Updated 3 July 2023

Our rating of this service stayed the same. We rated it as inadequate because:

• There was no assurance that mandatory training in key skills was provided to all staff. Staff could not demonstrate how to protect patients from abuse. The provider did not control infection risk well. The design, maintenance and use facilities, premises, vehicles, and equipment did not keep people safe. The provider could not demonstrate that it had enough staff. Risk assessments were not completed for each patient and did not remove or minimise risks. Records were not kept clear or up to date or stored securely. The provider was not registered to administer medication. The provider did not manage patient safety incidents well.
• Leaders could not demonstrate they had the skills and abilities to run the service. Leaders could not demonstrate how they operated effective governance processes, throughout the service. Leaders and teams could not evidence how they used systems to manage performance effectively.