THE Care Quality Commission (CQC) has once again rated West Midlands Ambulance Service as ‘Outstanding’ – the highest possible rating from health and social care regulator.
In their report, they say: “The Trust and its staff should be very proud of what they do.”
The CQC inspected the service in April and June, looking at urgent and emergency care and patient transport services along with the leadership of the organisation.
Now it has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ for effectiveness, care, responsivenesss and leadership, and ‘Good’ for whether services are safe.
It remains the only ambulance service in the country to be rate ‘Outstanding’.
CQC chief inspector, Professor Ted Baker, said: “WMAS was the first ambulance service in England to receive an Outstanding rating and I am pleased to announce that it continues to provide an excellent service.
“There was a positive culture that supported and valued staff and a strong and embedded focus on continuous improvement to offer the best quality service for patients, and effective systems for identifying risks or plans to eliminate or reduce them.
“Overwhelmingly this is an Outstanding trust and the hard work of staff across the trust continues to be exemplary. WMAS are making a real difference to people, and the trust and its staff should be very proud of what they do.”
WMAS chief executive, Anthony Marsh said: “This is fantastic news and is down to the hard work of staff and the volunteers who support us, for providing the best possible care to patients across the West Midlands.
“I am so incredibly proud of each and every one of you for helping us to maintain our position as the best ambulance service in the country. That’s not me saying it, but the organisation that looks at the safety and care of our patients.”
Trust chair, Sir Graham Meldrum, added: “Helping others is at the heart of everything we do and I am hugely pleased that the CQC saw a positive, patient-centred culture with hard working staff proud to work here and making a real difference to patients’ lives.
“Congratulations to everyone.”
