HEALTH bosses have admitted that a heavily-criticised patient transport service is still not operating as it should.

An investigation was launched into the problems that occurred when a private firm took over the service last October.

E-zec was awarded the contract by the NHS Dorset CCG last year, replacing former operator, the South Western Ambulance Service.

Patients complained about ambulances that failed to show up and E-zec’s allegedly poor customer service.

Jane Pike, director of review, design and delivery at NHS Dorset’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) told the Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee yesterday that things had improved but there are still issues to address.

Ms Pike said: “We recognise that the service is not where we want it to be.”

Whilst admitting mistakes had been made, Ms Pike revealed the number of complaints had gone down significantly since April 1.