Private ambulance services criticised

By Leslie Berry

Alarm bells are ringing over the state of independent ambulance services, following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) investigation.

Now the inspection watchdog is calling on private ambulance operators and the wider system to do more to ensure patients’ safety.

It expressed continuing concern about the overall standard of care across the independent ambulance sector. Although it saw evidence of good practice and improvements made by some operators, worries remain about how safely and effectively others are caring for patients.