Частная служба скорой помощи UCS Medical прекратила деятельность из-за серьезных нарушений безопасности

A PRIVATE ambulance company rated inadequate over serious safety concerns has ceased trading. UCS Medical, based at Haydock Cross in Haydock, stopped trading and providing regulated healthcare services today, Tuesday, September 1. Managing director Martin Ball confirmed the development following questions from the Star about recent findings published by the Care Quality Commission. Although the CQC reports were published in August, the inspection and assessment activity on which they were based took place on September 30 and October 1, 2025. The regulator rated UCS Medical inadequate overall, including inadequate ratings for whether the service was safe, effective and well-led. Caring and responsive were rated requires improvement. Following an assessment of its patient transport service, the CQC found breaches relating to safe care and treatment, governance and the employment of fit and proper persons. It issued three warning notices, with the company submitting a response detailing its planned improvements. Inspectors said there were not enough staff with the qualifications, skills or experience needed to keep people safe and provide appropriate care. Some staff reportedly told the regulator they had been invited to work for UCS Medical without submitting a formal application or attending an interview, contrary to the company’s own policy. The CQC also found that vehicles and equipment were not always kept clean or properly maintained. Its report said staff had repeatedly raised concerns about vehicle safety and cited an incident in which a patient’s journey was delayed because of a known engine problem that, according to the regulator, had been ignored by managers. Inspectors said the service did not manage infection risks well and lacked adequate systems to ensure patients were collected and transferred to the correct location. The regulator said this created a risk of patients being taken to the wrong destination, potentially causing distress and delays or leaving them without appropriate care and support. Some staff were also said to lack confidence in identifying or responding to safeguarding concerns, while others felt concerns raised with the company were ignored or dismissed. It is important to note that the CQC's published findings did not establish that patients had suffered actual harm or that anyone had been taken to the wrong destination. During 2025, UCS Medical completed 2,570 patient transport journeys, including journeys involving children and people receiving end-of-life care. It also carried out 40 secure mental health transfers, according to the CQC. Responding to the Star, Mr Ball said UCS Medical did not accept every aspect of the CQC’s interpretation of the evidence or the way in which some matters had been characterised. He said concerns about the factual context, proportionality and presentation of some findings had been raised directly with the regulator, but the company did not consider it constructive to revisit the entire inspection process through the media after ceasing operations. Mr Ball continued: “UCS Medical ceased trading and stopped providing regulated healthcare services on 1 September 2026.” He said that because the change had taken effect today, there would be a short period during which the CQC register, Companies House records and the company’s website did not fully reflect its current position. Mr Ball said appropriate regulatory, corporate and website amendments would be made in due course. Read more - St Helens residents urged to book flu jab as winter approaches - Motorbike rider from Merseyside dies in serious crash on residential street - Pilkington cuts 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions at St Helens plant - Vicar's picture captures the moment Red Arrows flew over village church He confirmed that the company stopped trading after receiving the CQC’s findings and warning notices, but stressed that the timing did not necessarily mean they caused the closure. Mr Ball also said UCS Medical Ltd remaining listed as active at Companies House should not be interpreted as meaning that it continued to trade. The managing director declined to provide further operational comment and did not give a reason for the decision to cease trading.