HAMPSHIRE'S ambulance service is hitting targets when it comes to getting paramedics to emergency patients but failing those needing transport for less urgent appointments and consultations, a report has revealed.

The results of the first Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) have been revealed, showing the trust is the best in the country for dealing with heart attack patients and responding to emergency calls within eight minutes.

However, inspectors found that improvements need to be made to ensure heart attack patients get appropriate pain relief and that stroke patients get to hospital quicker.

They also highlighted how the patient transport service, which deals with non-urgent transport, was not meeting performance targets, which was causing some to missing appointments or bringing their treatment to an end early to ensure they don't missed their transport home.

The inspection is the first by England's chief inspector of hospitals, Sir Mike Richards, looking at the quality of care of all 11 ambulance trusts in the country.

The report found that overall, during 2014, SCAS was meeting the national emergency response targets, to respond to calls within eight minutes for 75 per cent of patient who had a cardiac arrest, had stopped breathing or had other life threatening emergencies.

The trust was also praised for having the highest percentage of patient who were treated at the scene, without needing to be taken to hospital and staff were seen treating patients with compassion, dignity and respect.

Inspectors also found that the trust was affected by the national shortage of paramedics resulting in staff working long hours, some without breaks.

The team found several areas were improvements needed to be made, including staff training, call takers to answer calls within target times and to improve the patient transport service to reduce anxiety for patients.

While outstanding practice was noted with the introduction of a midwife to the clinical support desk boosting outcomes for mums in labour and the launch of an app to locate life-saving defibrillators.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, chief inspector of hospitals, said: “Overall, we found services provided by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust were safe, well led with a focus on care and quality.

He added: “While I can commend the staff for their dedication and effort, particularly for 999 emergency services, I will continue to watch progress with the Patient Transport Services to ensure that there are real improvements.”

Will Hancock, chief executive of the trust, said: “We welcome the report findings and the opportunity that this has given us to see ourselves as others see us.

“We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this inspection process and we are keen to use the learning and findings to focus on improving and ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care that we can provide.