Care firm gets huge fine for not registering with CQC
An independent ambulance service who provided services without being registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has been fined £4,000 – the maximum amount allowed in law.
The care watchdog issued a fixed penalty notice to Medicar European, based at Ascot Barn, Ashford, in Kent. Inspectors found the provider transported 28 patients between 24 July 2020 to 7 August 2020 despite not being registered.
It is an offence under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to carry out a regulated activity – in this case, provide the activity of transport services, triage and medical advice provided remotely – without being registered.
Emma Boger, CQC’s head of registration, said: ‘This is first time we have taken this action against an independent ambulance provider and I hope it sends a clear message to others that where we find providers operating outside of the law, we will always use our enforcement powers to protect people and hold them to account to stop poor and illegal practice.’