We were unable to speak with people who had used the service because contact numbers were unavailable.

People had been asked for their consent prior to treatment being provided and their care and treatment was assessed and delivered according to their needs.

We found the provider had suitable arrangements in place to ensure that people had been protected from abuse. Infection control and prevention practices ensured that people had been protected from the risks of acquiring an infection.

Appropriate checks had been undertaken on staff prior to them starting work. The statement of purpose had been reviewed, was current and provided all of the required information.

Ambulance and Medical Support Services (AMSS) is an independent medical transport provider based in Sandhurst, Berkshire. The service provides medical cover at events such as army boxing (in support of army medical staff), motocross and equine events, for both adults and children. Services are staffed by trained paramedics, emergency care technicians, ambulance care assistants and technicians

We inspected this service using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We carried out the announced part of the inspection on 21 March 2017, along with an unannounced visit to the service on 31 March 2017.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we ask the same five questions of all services: are they safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs, and well-led?

Throughout the inspection, we took account of what people told us and how the provider understood and complied with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Services we do not rate

We regulate independent ambulance services but we do not currently have a legal duty to rate them. We highlight good practice and issues that service providers need to improve and take regulatory action as necessary.

We found the following areas of good practice:

• All staff were passionate about their roles and providing excellent care.

• The provider had processes and practices in place to assess, monitor and improve quality and safety. Audits of the service were undertaken and learning took place. There was a system to ensure all incidents were recorded and monitored appropriately. There were daily debriefs for staff to learn from incidents and concerns.

• There were current, effective policies and guidelines to support staff to provide evidence based care and treatment.

• The service had a system for handling, managing and monitoring complaints and concerns.

• Risks were managed and there was a current formal risk register in place at the service.

• Selection and recruitment procedures ensured that staff appointed was suitable for the role.

• Systems and processes implemented the statutory obligations of Duty of Candour (DoC). Robust arrangements for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children were in place.

• Medicines were managed safely and securely.

• Records we checked confirmed that priority was given for mandatory ongoing training, which all staff had completed.

• There were systems to ensure staff received clinical supervision and a regular appraisal on their performance development needs.

Name of signatory

Edward Baker

Chief Inspector of Hospitals