The Care Quality Commission has today published a hugely concerning report on the East of England Ambulance Service following an inspection it carried out earlier this summer. The inspection was prompted by whistleblowers concerned about the safeguarding of patients and staff – and the report sets out clear questions for the leadership team. As a consequence of the inspection, the CQC has used its enforcement powers and put the Trust into special measures.
Therese said: "I have over many years expressed deep disappointment on behalf of patients about the performance of the Ambulance Service and this report also raises serious concerns about the treatment of staff. They must be better looked after and the culture very clearly needs to change, as ultimately patients suffer."
"My thanks go to the Care Quality Commission for a very thorough report. It’s the right move to put the trust into special measures as it will now get very focussed national support to help fix the critical issues. It also means that the Trust will be inspected again within six months and if insufficient improvement has been made at that stage, then CQC could use its enforcement powers yet further."
Therese added: "While the time is not right during the current coronavirus pandemic to focus on organisational structures, this reinforces my view that the trust may need to be broken up and rebuilt in the future into two or three smaller services for the benefit of patients. In the meantime, I am following up my concerns direct with Health Ministers."
