Medical Services (North East) Limited

Wayne & Joanne Hall
www.msne.co.uk

" We feel honoured to be given this award and it is the recognition from events like this that make it all worth while. It can seem very lonely running a company but the Enterprise Agency have given us a tremendous amount of invaluable support and advice that has undoubtedly contributed to our success "

Medical Services (North East) Limited provide a Private Ambulance Service and deliver all types of health and safety training courses throughout the North East. They are currently celebrating record levels of business over the last 12 months and have also completed a one year high growth mentoring programme run by the Enterprise Agency and Be Enterprising.

Medical Services (North East) Limited was named Small Business of the Year a few months ago by Durham and Sun FM and have also smashed a target to increase their business by 100% set three years ago by achieving over 134%.

Only 3 years ago, Wayne and Joanne had nearly walked away from the business after profits tumbled due to high costs, despite the couple working harder than ever. “It was devastating after we had worked so hard and given up so much to start the business,” said Wayne. “We sat down and almost cried out of frustration. We seriously thought about giving it all up.”

The couple had started the company in June 2002 and the first few years were really tough,” said Wayne. “We had to move out of my house and rent it out and move in with Jo’s parents for almost two years. We would work all day in the office and then go out at night in the ambulance and we paid ourselves a pittance.

The business, however, went from strength to strength and they have handpicked a team who share their high standards for patient care. The team keep spotless ambulances and are smart, friendly, polite and professional. Since February 2009 the company has taken on another six Ambulance staff.

The ambulance drivers and crew have excellent communication skills enabling them to put patients at ease. This high level of customer care is also reflected in the advanced standards of training staff receive in subjects such as Infection Control, Equality and Diversity, Dementia Awareness and Palliative Care, with some of the qualifications equivalent to A level standards.

“After our bad year, we looked at every aspect of the business. We knew we were making a difference to people’s lives and decided we had to make it work and give it everything,” said Wayne.

“We don’t just want to meet standards we want to exceed expectations”. A decision was made to double the business within three years, all we had to do then was work out how to do it! We figured that it amounted to a huge increase year on year, most people think they have done well if they have increased sales by 10%. It was mad but we were determined and we have exceeded our wildest expectations.