NHS England and NHS Improvement is pleased to confirm that they have accepted the recommendation of the Chief Inspector of Hospitals following the CQC’s re-inspection of South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in July 2019 and will be taking the trust out of special measures for reasons of quality.

Speaking about the decision, Professor Stephen Powis, National NHS Medical Director said: “I am pleased to note the improvements that South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has made and sustained since the trust entered in to special measures for reasons of quality in September 2016 and delighted to confirm that the trust has now been taken out of quality special measures.

I recognise the hard work and commitment of all of their staff in delivering this outcome. I was particularly struck by the improvements in Urgent and Emergency Care, which has improved from Requires Improvement to Outstanding.

We also recognise that the trust still has progress to make in a number of areas and that they have plans in place to build and maintain further improvement.”

South East Coast Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust provides ambulance services for people in the Kent, Surrey and Sussex areas.

Anne Eden, NHS England and NHS Improvement Regional Director for the South East added: “This is excellent news for patients in the local area who are now benefitting from an improved ambulance service.

This is a significant improvement and one which staff across the trust have worked hard to achieve.

We are now putting in place support and oversight to ensure that improvements are maintained, any remaining quality concerns are addressed and that performance and governance arrangements are strengthened.”