First reported 7 Jan 2013•Latest report 4 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of doctor or medical staffing capacity, coverage, availability or resilience that delay or prevent timely patient review, assessment, emergency response, clinical queries, home visits or other required patient care.
Not included
Excludes delays or failures caused by non-staffing factors such as escalation, appointment management, documentation, information access or clinical decision-making when adequate staffing is available.
Excludes poor-quality assessment or review where the evidence does not identify insufficient medical staffing capacity as the unsafe condition.
Excludes staffing deficiencies unrelated to timely patient care, such as excessive working hours without a supported patient-care impact.
Reports
57
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
61
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
118
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 Care14
NHS England11
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust3
Barts Health NHS Trust2
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust2
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board2
Royal College of Emergency Medicine2
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health2
Royal College of Radiologists2
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust2
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust2
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust2
Aneurin Bevan University LHB1
Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB1
NHS trust34
Ministerial department14
Executive non-departmental public body11
Healthcare site6
Health professional body6
Local health board4
Private limited company4
Integrated care board3
Type not available3
Multi-service care provider2
Professional body2
Company limited by guarantee1
Coronial office1
Devolved government1
Health and care professional regulator1
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.
Leicester City and South Leicestershire
Concerns raised1
Insufficient medical practitioner cover for assessing patients' care needs
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.6
Action
Publish the 7-Day Hospital Services Programme introducing clinical standards for consistent seven-day acute care.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Action
Continue encouraging local health systems to develop workforce plans providing sufficient qualified staff for population care needs.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Action
Develop future training-post distribution to align the supply of doctors with population need.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Action
Publish the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan setting out workforce training, retention and reform over fifteen years.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Action
Increase site medical staffing, including weekend and bank-holiday consultant, registrar and junior-doctor coverage.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Action
Review the potential for increasing medical staffing across all sites during weekends and bank holidays.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Bank holiday staffing did not impact the patient’s care, and clinical deterioration did not require earlier escalation.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Existing escalation policies would ensure clinical review regardless of bank holiday staffing levels.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Workforce shortages and disruption to elective services constrain consistently increasing inpatient medical staffing during weekends and bank holidays.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Concerns raised1
Limited weekend clinical cover for injuries sustained on Fridays
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.4
Action
Implement seven-day clinical standards and require acute trusts to provide board assurance of compliance.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Action
Grow the urgent and emergency care workforce, including introducing more flexible ways of working.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Action
Develop local workforce planning and distribute future training posts to match doctors’ supply with population need.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Action
Review weekend demand and prepare a business case for extending dedicated fragility-fracture theatre capacity to Saturdays.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System is responsible for local urgent and emergency care workforce arrangements.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
A dedicated weekend fragility-fracture theatre depends on available clinical and financial resources.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Avon
Concerns raised1
Insufficient specialist medical capacity for timely and proactive care of older hospital patients
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.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Concerns raised1
Delays in Radiologist review of emergency chest x-rays
This report raised 1 other concern. 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.3
Action
Publish national image-report turnaround-time guidance, including a four-hour maximum for acutely unwell A&E patients during routine hours.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 September 2023.
Action
Support Trusts to increase radiology reporting capacity through additional reporting radiographers, radiologist trainees, international recruitment and workforce planning tools.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 September 2023.
Action
Implement the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to train, retain and reform healthcare staff across the NHS over fifteen years.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 September 2023.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in cardiology clinic assessment due to insufficient clinician or appointment-slot availability
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 raised2
Delays in Emergency Department senior clinician review due to insufficient senior medical staffing
Delays in Emergency Department clinician review due to patient volume and insufficient staff availability
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
NHSE and local integrated care bodies are responsible for addressing the concerns about treatment at Wythenshawe Hospital.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Greater Manchester Integrated Care provides the relevant services, while its Integrated Care Board decides commissioned health services.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of doctors for ward clinical reviews
This report raised 8 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
Commission NHS England to develop a 15-year NHS workforce plan addressing staffing numbers, skills, supply gaps and retention.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 September 2022.
Action
Fund 1,500 additional annual medical school places for domestic students in England, completing the expansion in September 2020.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 September 2022.
Action
Temporarily lift the cap on English medical school places for eligible students with 2020 or 2021 A-Level offers.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 September 2022.
Action
Publish a workforce plan containing independently verified 10- and 15-year forecasts for doctors, nurses and other professionals.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 September 2022.
Action
Progress a business case to increase junior-doctor provision and reduce reliance on locum and agency doctors.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 September 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Overnight junior doctor cover exceeded Royal College of Physicians national guidance when the deterioration occurred.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient cardiology capacity and out-of-hours cover for timely assessment
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.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of psychiatric doctor provision for the mentally unwell prison population
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
Approach NHS England and discuss seeking additional psychology and psychiatry resource for HMP Leeds.
Stated by Practice Plus Group Health And Rehabilitation Services LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 September 2022.
Action
Submit a business case to Commissioners for increased psychology and psychiatry provision at HMP Leeds.
Stated by Practice Plus Group Health And Rehabilitation Services LimitedStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 September 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Existing stepped-care provision and multidisciplinary referral arrangements are considered sufficient to meet patients’ psychiatric needs at current levels.
Stated by Practice Plus Group Health And Rehabilitation Services LimitedExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
NHS England, as commissioner, is responsible for deciding whether additional psychology and psychiatry resources will be funded.
Stated by Practice Plus Group Health And Rehabilitation Services LimitedRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Even if additional funding is approved, recruitment difficulties may prevent immediate increases in psychiatric provision.
Stated by Practice Plus Group Health And Rehabilitation Services LimitedUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
West Sussex
Concerns raised1
Delays in reassessment and referral of urgent cases due to inadequate cover
This report raised 13 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.
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Includes failures of doctor or medical staffing capacity, coverage, availability or resilience that delay or prevent timely patient review, assessment, emergency response, clinical queries, home visits or other required patient care.
