The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. CQC inspect places like hospitals, care homes and GP surgeries to make sure they meet standards of quality and safety. They then publish a report for each one, including giving them a rating.
The North East Ambulance Service NHS FT Inspection takes place from 18th April 2016.
Patients who have used the North East Ambulance Service NHS FT services in the last 12 months (and their families) are encouraged to give feedback. The main services which we are looking for feedback about are:
- The emergency ambulances
- Patient transport
- NHS 111 Service
Targeting people who use ambulances in emergencies is difficult but data shows that there are some groups of users who are more easily identified. Data from the London Ambulance Service show that falls (c.10%)*, respiratory (c.9%)* and cardiac (c.8%)* issues are the most common predictable emergency calls. For patient transport key conditions are diabetes, COPD, Cancer, Heart and renal conditions. Therefore, the key population groups we can target for ambulance feedback can be assumed to be:
- Carers Groups
- Older Peoples Groups – reaching older people living at home or in residential care
- People with long term conditions and complex needs
- Learning Disability Groups
CQC are particularly keen to notify these groups of the NEAS Inspection and encourage their feedback and would be grateful if this information could be shared with your networks where appropriate.
There is an Inspection website which gives details about the Inspection and people can leave their experiences online.
If you would like to give feedback based on the knowledge that you have with regards to your service users or members, you can send in a feedback summary to hospitalinspections@cqc.org.uk.
Please email this information to the CQC by 31st March 2016.