First reported 7 Feb 2014•Latest report 26 Aug 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of leadership, command, role clarity or team coordination within an explicitly identified emergency or life-threatening emergency response.
Not included
Excludes leadership or governance deficiencies unrelated to an emergency response.
Excludes generic training, staffing or communication deficiencies unless the report directly ties them to leadership or coordination of the emergency response.
Excludes failures specific to a separate operational process, hazard or non-emergency incident-management system.
Reports
16
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
22
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
35
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 Care2
Aspray House1
Beech Cliffe Grange1
Beech Cliffe Limited1
Care UK Limited1
College of Policing1
Cygnet Health Care Limited1
Elmley Prison1
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust1
Faversham House Nursing Home1
First Aid Cover Ltd1
Greater Manchester Police1
Harbour Healthcare Ltd.1
King's Harbour Master1
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust1
Private limited company6
NHS trust4
Executive non-departmental public body2
Ministerial department2
Police force2
Prison or young offender institution2
Residential care home2
Company limited by guarantee1
Healthcare site1
Health professional body1
Maritime authority1
National policing body1
Nursing home1
Public limited company1
Type not available1
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
Failure to identify and deploy the available trained first aider
This report raised 7 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.1
Position
Tesco’s own store first-aider provision is considered sufficient; T.S.S officers are not contractually required to provide first aid.
Stated by T.S.S (Total Security Services) Limited (T.S.SExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Confusion over which public body has primary responsibility for acute medical emergencies in custodial settings
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.5
Action
Direct HMP Elmley staff to follow local medical-emergency procedures consistently, including responsibilities for resuscitation, restraints and ligature removal.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 July 2025.
Action
Jointly draft a memorandum of understanding defining agencies’ responsibilities and coordinating joint working during major incidents.
Stated by Oxleas NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 July 2025.
Action
Prepare and return SECAmb comments on the memorandum of understanding defining roles and responsibilities for prison incidents.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 July 2025.
Action
Add a command-and-control framework for incidents in HM Prison establishments to the SECAmb Incident Response Plan.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 July 2025.
Action
Arrange a meeting with prison healthcare leads to clarify primacy of care while developing the memorandum of understanding.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 July 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Healthcare professionals or paramedics, rather than prison staff, are responsible for leading medical interventions beyond first aid or CPR.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing arrangements establish Oxleas’ responsibility and leadership for acute medical emergencies, with paramedics supporting Oxleas staff when required.
Stated by Oxleas NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Primacy of care in prisons rests with commissioned prison healthcare services, while ambulance staff assume responsibility after handover and departure.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised2
Failure to establish clear command and control arrangements during critical medical emergencies in custodial settings
Failure to establish a communication strategy during critical medical emergencies in custodial settings
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
HM Prison and Probation Service is responsible for leadership, command and control of prison emergencies, including medical emergencies.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The Ambulance Service is expected to provide further detail about paramedics’ role in medical emergencies within prisons.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
East London
Concerns raised2
Delayed and disorganised staff responses to developing emergencies
Failure to provide effective leadership of emergency responses
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.
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
Deliver lessons-learned, anti-choking, first-aid and competency training to permanent, agency, care and non-care staff, including refresher training.
Stated by Aspray HouseStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 July 2025.
Action
Display a colour-coded choking flow chart in nursing stations and pictorial choking first-aid posters in dining areas.
Stated by Aspray HouseStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 July 2025.
Action
Replace the Home Manager and Deputy Operations Manager involved in the incident with new management.
Stated by Aspray HouseStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 July 2025.
Manchester West
Concerns raised1
Failure of emergency-service first-responder allocation to provide appropriate care for concern-for-welfare emergencies
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.6
Action
Deliver targeted training briefs on Concern for Welfare criteria.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 July 2025.
Action
Review and update national RCRP guidance to clarify risk assessment and address emerging learning.
Stated by College of PolicingStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 July 2025.
Action
Monitor the impact of RCRP and refine guidance using operational feedback and case reviews.
Stated by College of PolicingStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 July 2025.
Action
Implement and operate the RCRP policy and partner-agency pathways for assessing concern-for-welfare calls and directing responses.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 July 2025.
Action
Deliver initial and refresher RCRP training to relevant staff, including guidance on risk, response protocols and partner-agency referrals.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 July 2025.
Action
Implement the inter-agency Gaining Entry Memorandum of Understanding defining responsibility for forced entry when NWAS requires access.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 July 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
NWAS cannot force entry to properties because it lacks the legal powers and equipment.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
NWAS is not the expected primary responder to welfare calls involving no confirmed medical need, given its ambulance function.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
NWAS requires a confirmed location and clear medical need before deploying an ambulance under its Concern for Welfare procedure.
Stated by North West Ambulance Service NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
NWAS is responsible for remotely assessing physical-health concerns and ordinarily providing the appropriate response.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
GMFRS is the primary agency to force entry when NWAS leads a concern-for-welfare incident and requests assistance.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised2
Failure to coordinate detention and medical staff roles during a medical emergency
Lack of protocols defining detention and medical staff roles during a medical emergency in a cell
This report raised 3 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
Review custody contracts, policies and procedures with Leeds Community Healthcare to clarify emergency roles for Detention Officers and Healthcare Professionals.
Stated by West Yorkshire PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 March 2025.
Action
Expand life-support training with custody-suite simulations and joint scenarios to improve coordination between healthcare professionals and detention officers.
Stated by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 March 2025.
Action
Review the Death in Custody procedure through a clinical working group and strengthen joint reflection with colleagues involved in incidents.
Stated by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 March 2025.
Action
Include coordination of response in investigations of life-threatening incidents and deaths in custody.
Stated by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 March 2025.
Action
Agree the reviewed procedure with police to define robust coordination of responses in life-threatening situations.
Stated by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 March 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing training and emergency procedures appropriately require Detention Officers to provide Basic Life Support and follow Healthcare Professional direction.
Stated by West Yorkshire PoliceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Failure to promptly inform and coordinate with the site co-ordinator during emergencies
This report raised 15 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.1
Action
Share emergency-response learning through basic-life-support and grab-bag training, including prompt notification of the Site Coordinator and Doctor.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 March 2023.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide clear CPR leadership and task structure
This report raised 11 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.3
Action
Provide monthly unannounced resuscitation drills, assess response times, record responders and retrain staff where issues are identified.
Stated by Cygnet Health Care LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2022.
Action
Provide nurse drop-in sessions with the ILS lead, including practical refresher training on emergency equipment.
Stated by Cygnet Health Care LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2022.
Action
Complete ILS train-the-trainer qualification for the resuscitation lead.
Stated by Cygnet Health Care LimitedStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 3 October 2022.
Milton Keynes
Concerns raised3
Inhibitory hierarchical structure preventing staff from speaking up during emergencies
Inappropriate delegation of irrelevant tasks during anaesthetic emergencies
Failure of emergency team leadership, role clarity and coordination
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
Develop multidisciplinary training resources and short scenarios on unrecognised oesophageal intubation.
Stated by Association Of Anaesthetists (Great Britain & Ireland) and Difficult Airway Society and Royal College of AnaesthetistsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Action
Work with stakeholders to highlight the need for sufficient theatre-team time for essential emergency-drill training.
Stated by Association Of Anaesthetists (Great Britain & Ireland) and Difficult Airway Society and Royal College of AnaesthetistsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Action
Promote and embed the Human Factors guidance for Anaesthesia recommendations in practice.
Stated by Association Of Anaesthetists (Great Britain & Ireland) and Difficult Airway Society and Royal College of AnaesthetistsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Action
Develop and disseminate multidisciplinary team training resources on oesophageal intubation, including flashcards and short scenarios.
Stated by Association Of Anaesthetists (Great Britain & Ireland) and Difficult Airway Society and Royal College of AnaesthetistsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Action
Develop additional multidisciplinary team training resources through the simulation workstream.
Stated by Association Of Anaesthetists (Great Britain & Ireland) and Difficult Airway Society and Royal College of AnaesthetistsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Individual NHS trusts are responsible for delivering emergency simulation and team-based training, subject to available resources and clinical trainer time.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Lack of incident command during emergency response
This report raised 11 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.