30.06.15
CQC publishes first reports into NHS 111 services
The CQC has published reports on the first three NHS 111 services that took part in a pilot to be inspected under its new methodology.
Since March, the CQC has been developing a new approach to the inspection of England's NHS 111 services, using specialist inspectors accompanied by GPs, nurses and other experts. In line with CQC's other inspections, reports focus on whether services provided are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
By September 2016, all of England's NHS 111 services will have been inspected and rated by CQC.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: "NHS 111 is an important part of the urgent care system, ensuring people have quick and easy access to health care advice and information when appropriate.
"We expect these services to demonstrate that they prioritise people with the most urgent needs at times of high demand, and to ensure that care and advice is delivered safely and effectively, and they are referred to the right service as quickly as possible when necessary.
"The way that NHS urgent and emergency care is delivered in England is changing, but people will always be entitled to services that provide safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care."
The three NHS 111 providers that were inspected as part of this pilot were North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Derbyshire Health United and Isle of Wight NHS Trust.
As the inspections were part of the pilot the trusts were not rated, however detailed inspection reports have been published.
All three trusts were found to provide well-led, caring, safe, effective and responsive services with only some small improvements recommended.
North West Ambulance Trust was told it needed to carry out periodic analysis of complaints, customer feedback and significant to identify themes and trends so that appropriate action can be taken, while Derbyshire Health United was told that staff needed receive an annual appraisal.
The Isle of Wight Trust service was advised to inform patients when their calls are being listened to for training purposes and also to develop a report which reflects overarching governance of the service provided.
(Image: c. London Ambulance)
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