First reported 24 Sep 2013•Latest report 27 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes reports identifying delayed, missed or insufficiently timely consultant review of patients, including failures to seek or arrange an early consultant review where consultant input is required.
Not included
Excludes delays in non-consultant consultations, referrals or specialist services unless the report specifically concerns consultant review.
Excludes failures involving only documentation, communication, continuity, staffing or on-call cover when delayed consultant review is not itself identified.
Excludes concerns about the quality or appropriateness of consultant decisions where timely review was not a material issue.
Reports
35
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
37
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
32
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care7
Care Quality Commission3
Barts Health NHS Trust2
East London NHS Foundation Trust2
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists2
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health2
St Peter's Hospital2
Tameside General Hospital2
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust2
Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB1
Colchester Hospital1
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust1
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust1
NHS trust23
Healthcare site9
Ministerial department7
Health and social care service regulator3
Health professional body2
Integrated care board2
Multi-service care provider2
Professional body2
Type not available2
English district council1
Health and care professional regulator1
Local health board1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Delays in consultant review for patients with impaired consciousness
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Train staff to obtain prompt consultant review for acutely unwell patients or potentially dangerous injuries.
Stated by Barts Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 February 2015.
Action
Explain the escalation policy to new trainees, including timely assessment, intervention, documentation and senior review.
Stated by Barts Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 February 2015.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The Trust stated that medical review and appropriate post-fall checks occurred soon after the fall, contrary to the reported five-hour delay.
Stated by Barts Health NHS TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Lack of independent consultant assessment of paediatric admissions outside normal working hours
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Consider further work to strengthen consultant-delivered paediatric cover towards 24/7 service.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 March 2014.
Action
Work towards consultant paediatrician review within 14 hours for every acute paediatric admission.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 March 2014.
Action
Audit compliance with the Facing the Future paediatric service standards across UK units.
Stated by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child HealthStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 24 March 2014.
Action
Review the consultant-review standard, collate supporting evidence, and consider increasing consultant reviews from once to twice daily within 24 hours.
Stated by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child HealthStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 March 2014.
Action
Model with Health Education England the national medical-staffing implications of recommending twice-daily consultant review.
Stated by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child HealthStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 March 2014.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The hospital Trust is responsible for addressing local policies, their implementation, staff practice and competence, including parental concerns.
Stated by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child HealthRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
West Sussex
Concerns raised1
Lack of independent consultant assessment of paediatric admissions
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure to escalate to a consultant
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised2
Failure to contact a consultant when Early Warning Scores indicate clinical deterioration
Failure to refer patients to consultant level when Early Warning Scores indicate escalation
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.