At EMED Group, our Safe Care division plays a vital role in supporting people during some of the most vulnerable and challenging moments of their lives. Specialising in mental health patient transport, Safe Care works closely with NHS trusts, local authorities and healthcare professionals to ensure that individuals detained under the Mental Health Act are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
Our teams are highly trained, trauma-informed, and experienced in supporting people in crisis, whether that’s in the community, at home or within a hospital setting. With police forces across the UK stepping back from these responsibilities, Safe Care has stepped up, helping to bridge a critical gap in care and ensuring patients are supported safely and respectfully.
And it’s been quite the year so far.
From achieving independent CQC registration to welcoming new colleagues and expanding operations in Wales and Sussex, 2025 has seen Safe Care grow, evolve and deepen its impact, all while remaining true to its founding purpose: to provide the right care, from the right people, at the right time.
Independent CQC Registration: A New Chapter for Safe Care
In April, Safe Care achieved a major milestone by securing its own independent registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
With Michelle Jones, Managing Director, named as the Registered Manager, this move reflects Safe Care’s development as a specialist mental health service within EMED Group. It means future inspections will be carried out separately from EMED’s Patient Care service, allowing Safe Care to demonstrate its impact and quality on its own terms.
Michelle said:
“This change allows us to focus even more closely on the regulation and delivery of mental health services and it reflects the incredible expertise of our people. I’m proud of the growth and specialisation we’ve achieved and even more proud of the teams making it happen every day.”
Supporting Professionals and Students in Mental Health
Safe Care doesn’t just deliver vital frontline services – we’re supporting wider system learning too.
Wayne Spedding, Safe Care Commercial Director, recently spoke with students training to become Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) in Hertfordshire and West Essex. His session focused on the vital role that collaboration and clear communication play in delivering safe, person-centred care.
By sharing how EMED and Safe Care support crisis and non-crisis pathways, Wayne highlighted how aligned partnership working leads to better outcomes for patients and smoother delivery for healthcare professionals.
Welcome to Megan Pugh – Road-Based Supervisor for Bridgend
We’re delighted to welcome Megan Pugh as our new Road-Based Supervisor (RBS) for Bridgend. Megan brings a wealth of experience from mental health inpatient services, domiciliary care and prisons and will be instrumental as our Welsh operations continue to grow.
With Safe Care expanding across the UK, Megan’s arrival strengthens our ability to lead with compassion and capability, no matter the setting.
Sussex Surge Reflects National Need
Safe Care’s ongoing mobilisation in Sussex is showing real results, with teams now delivering over 400 additional journeys per month – the highest number to date.
This growth reflects both a system-wide need and the sheer dedication of our Safe Care colleagues. From the call handlers and dispatchers to the teams out on the road, everyone plays a role in ensuring patients and service users receive safe, timely and compassionate care.
Care with Dignity: Stories That Stay with Us
At the heart of Safe Care’s work are moments of real, human connection. One such example comes from Hereford, where our team supported a woman detained under the Mental Health Act:
“The detained person had not left her house for five years, or her bedroom for six months. She was terrified to leave, but the Safe Care crew showed such sensitivity and empathy that within 50 minutes she had transferred calmly to a wheelchair. She later said going to hospital was her ‘worst nightmare’ but the crew empowered her to take the first step toward recovery.”
These are the moments that define Safe Care: the right care, from the right people, at the right time.
Michelle Jones on Purple Day and Being Proud
Earlier this month, MD Michelle joined the St Albans team for Purple Day, spending time on the road and witnessing first-hand the work that goes into each patient interaction.
“So lovely to see the fantastic work they do every day with our patients and with so much compassion. Proud to be Safe Care!”
