The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published an inspection report on North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
Inspectors visited the trust between 25 to 27 February 2020 to check on the quality of healthcare services. CQC previously visited the trust in June and July 2019, when it was rated Good overall.
CQC temporarily suspended all routine inspections on 16 March 2020 to support and reduce the pressure on health and social care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. CQC, as well as providers, want to be able to prioritise keeping people safe during this time.
The report includes the findings from the core service inspections and updated ratings but due to the time of the of the suspension, the well-led inspection could not be completed. As a result, the overall rating and five key questions are from the previous inspection.
Full details of CQC’s inspection findings are published in a report online at: https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RX7
During the COVID-19 pandemic, CQC’s immediate focus is on supporting providers to keep people safe during a period of unprecedented pressure.
Although routine inspections have been paused, CQC’s regulatory role and core purpose of keeping people safe has not changed – safety is still the priority.
CQC will continue to collect insight and intelligence about the quality of care from existing data sources, providers, healthcare staff, stakeholders, and the public, and work closely with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure additional support is in place where needed.
CQC is listening to what people are saying about services during this time to help detect any changes in care. If there is evidence people are at immediate risk of harm, CQC can and will take action to ensure that people are being kept safe. People can give feedback to CQC via the details below.
Telephone - 03000 616161
Give feedback via website- www.cqc.org.uk/give-feedback-on-care