First reported 21 Jan 2014•Latest report 18 Jun 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes delays, target failures, capacity pressures, admission barriers and ineffective improvement measures that directly concern the ambulance-to-hospital patient handover process.
Not included
Excludes delays in ambulance response that are not directly linked to hospital handover.
Excludes generic hospital staffing, social care, patient-flow or capacity deficiencies unless the report directly ties them to ambulance-to-hospital handover delays.
Excludes clinical handover failures between hospital wards or other services that do not concern ambulance-to-hospital patient transfer.
Excludes safety monitoring and clinical care while a patient waits where the assertion does not itself identify delayed handover.
Reports
77
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
86
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
337
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 Care43
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust20
NHS England18
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB14
Welsh Government9
Aneurin Bevan University LHB4
Care Quality Commission4
Conwy County Borough Council4
Denbighshire County Council4
Flintshire County Council4
NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board4
Wrexham County Borough Council4
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust3
Gwynedd Council3
Isle of Anglesey County Council3
Ministerial department43
NHS trust32
Local health board22
Executive non-departmental public body18
Integrated care board12
Devolved government9
Healthcare site5
Health and social care service regulator4
Welsh county borough council4
Welsh county council4
Type not available3
Health professional body2
Registered charity2
Sub-organisation2
Devolved legislature1
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.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Continuing delays in ambulance handover and response
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.
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
Return to the NHS Constitution’s safe operational waiting-time standards.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 8 October 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Healthcare providers are responsible for identifying and mitigating risks within their services through their own patient-safety processes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Berkshire
Concerns raised1
Delays in hospital handover of ambulance patients
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.6
Action
Improve hospital flow to reduce unnecessary hospital stays and delayed discharges.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
Action
Develop local NHS and social-care partnership working to tackle delayed discharges.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
Action
Ensure every acute hospital has access to a care transfer hub for complex discharges.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
Action
Work directly with health and social-care partners in systems facing the most discharge delays to drive improvements.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
Action
Improve hospital patient flow and reduce ambulance handover delays through discharge and provider-coordination measures.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
Action
Use Key Lines of Enquiry to help ambulance and acute providers identify opportunities to reduce handover delays and improve patient flow.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Responsibility for addressing ongoing handover delays rests with the responsible integrated care boards commissioning the hospital emergency department services.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
East Riding and Hull
Concerns raised1
Failure to achieve the 15-minute ambulance hospital handover target
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
Share the Regulation 28 response, report and concerns with the Hull and East Riding Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Improve patient flow through hospitals and reduce ambulance handover delays.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Speed hospital discharges to support improved patient flow.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board is responsible for responding directly on local and system measures addressing patient flow and ambulance handover concerns.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Northamptonshire
Concerns raised1
Delays in clearing ambulances from Accident and Emergency departments
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.2
Action
Reduce ambulance handover delays to support patient flow.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 August 2024.
Action
Increase direct referrals into community services to reduce conveyance to acute hospitals.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 August 2024.
Gwent
Concerns raised1
Delays in hospital handover
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.11
Action
Revise the escalation framework for ambulance handover delays.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Improve discharge-lounge use to create capacity and support ambulance handover times.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Hold weekly Patient Safety Flow meetings with defined action plans addressing patient flow and ambulance handover delays.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Create a post supporting the Chief Operating Officer’s team to increase urgent-care operational and escalation capacity.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Increase substantive Physician Response Unit provision to deliver community emergency medicine and reduce emergency-department conveyance.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Improve Same Day Emergency Care services and increase patient selection to release emergency-department and assessment capacity.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Introduce focused patient-safety events across Health Board sites to improve discharge processes and reduce discharge delays.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Create a discharge hub at Royal Gwent Hospital jointly with social care.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Create a Ready to Go Ward and discharge floor at Royal Gwent Hospital to coordinate discharge and transition home.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Create a Hospital to Home service providing additional community support.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Action
Deliver a proactive discharge project with Monmouthshire Local Authority at Nevill Hall Hospital.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 May 2024.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulances clearing Accident and Emergency departments
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.2
Action
Provide £1 billion to increase staffed core hospital beds by 5,000 compared with 2022/23 plans.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 May 2024.
Action
Make £1.6 billion available over two years to support timely and effective hospital discharge and reduce admission waits.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 May 2024.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Delays in offloading ambulance patients at hospitals
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.7
Action
Provide £1 billion in dedicated funding to increase staffed core hospital beds by 5,000 and improve patient flow and bed capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Make £1.6 billion available over two years to support timely hospital discharge and reduce admission waits from A&E.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Implement quality-improvement initiatives with acute trusts to reduce ambulance handover delays.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Agree and use a Joint Escalation Action Plan defining organisational actions to improve ambulance handover during system pressures.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Introduce and enact a Duty to Rescue protocol enabling senior clinical decisions on rapid handover and ambulance release during significant operational pressure.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Develop and improve alternative care pathways, including Urgent Community Response and direct Same Day Emergency Care access, to avoid appropriate hospital conveyance.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Publish the Delivery plan for recovering urgent and emergency care services to improve ambulance and urgent-care performance.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Specific actions to improve ambulance response and hospital handover times will be provided directly by NHS England and the Integrated Care Board.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Wiltshire and Swindon
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulance handover at hospitals
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.2
Action
Provide £1 billion to increase staffed core hospital beds by 5,000 compared with 2022/23 plans.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Invest £1 billion through the Discharge Fund to commission discharge care packages and improve discharge processes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
SWAST is best placed to determine and implement local action with NHS partners to reduce handover delays and improve ambulance response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Delays in hospital handover compromising ambulance crew availability
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.9
Action
Coordinate system-wide urgent and emergency care responses through the Delivery and Improvement Board and System Co-ordination Centre, with escalation and safety oversight.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Maintain accredited System Co-ordination Centre capability to coordinate pressure-point interventions, joined-up problem solving and safety across urgent and emergency care pathways.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Review urgent treatment centre provision against local population needs and national guidance.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Provide the “Call before you convey” service to divert suitable older patients from hospital attendance into urgent community or wider community services.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Operate a single transfer-of-care hub approach with local partners to reduce handoffs and accelerate movement from acute hospitals into community services.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Engage weekly with Integrated Care Boards through assurance and planning rounds to reduce emergency department crowding, improve acute front-door services, and release ambulance capacity.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Drive further efficiencies in acute patient flow, same-day care, care closer to home, and avoidance of frail and elderly patients’ avoidable attendances.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Provide £1 billion in dedicated funding to increase staffed core hospital beds by 5,000 against 2022/23 plans.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Make £1.6 billion available over two years to support timely hospital discharge and reduce admission delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Ambulance service commissioning is undertaken by Black Country ICB on behalf of West Midlands ICBs, with BSOL as an associate commissioner.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Responsibility for improving ambulance handover delays rests with providers, commissioning bodies and regulators.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
NHS England and the Birmingham Integrated Care Board are best placed to address local ambulance response and hospital handover delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulance-to-hospital patient handover
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.1
Action
Provide £1 billion to increase staffed core hospital beds by 5,000 and improve patient flow and bed capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 April 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Specific actions to reduce handover delays and improve ambulance response times are best undertaken locally by SWAST and Royal Cornwall Hospital.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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Includes delays, target failures, capacity pressures, admission barriers and ineffective improvement measures that directly concern the ambulance-to-hospital patient handover process.
