Ambulance equipment ‘out of date’

Posted: August 23, 2015

Posted in: Medical Negligence NHS Claims 

Following a recent health watchdog inspection, vital equipment used by Yorkshire Ambulance Service paramedics for major disasters is out of date. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report stated that breathing apparatus used by the hazard response team was not checked to meet standards, and on one occasion a defibrillator had not been changed.

Not only did the CQC report note equipment issues, but it also highlighted the fact that the trust was failing to meet response time targets for the most serious 999 calls. It was revealed that less than 71% of emergency call-outs were responded to within eight minutes between last April and September, despite the government target being 75%.

Safe disposal of clinical waste highly concerning

The CQC inspections, which were carried out during January and February, visited fourteen ambulance stations including ones in Huddersfield, York, west Hull and Leeds Central. The report showed that staff often failed to follow infection control practices, with procedures surrounding the safe disposal of clinical waste highly concerning. It also stated that the general cleanliness of the vehicles, both inside and out, was not of an acceptable standard.

The trust has been warned that it must make immediate improvements. Rod Barnes, chief executive of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We have continued to make progress in all areas over recent months and have a clear plan of action to maintain this improvement.”

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