DIRTY ambulances look set to be a thing of the past after the East Midlands Ambulance Service finally passed spot checks on cleanliness.

The trust – which runs the ambulance provision in North East Lincolnshire – apologised to the public in December after health inspectors twice raised concerns over hygiene in vehicles and found "thick dirt" during a November visit, as reported.

But, after a concerted effort from staff and managers, the Care Quality Commission says it has now found no evidence that the trust is breaching regulations to protect patients from healthcare associated infection.

Maurice Haslam, a paramedic and divisional leader of Unison said this latest result was "excellent news for everybody".

Read more in today's Grimsby Telegraph.