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.
Norfolk
Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain Emergency Department capacity for safe ambulance-to-hospital transfer
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.5
Action
Deliver the plan’s measures to improve urgent-care waiting times and ambulance response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 January 2023.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 24 January 2023.
Action
Maintain the additional staffed hospital-bed capacity through 2024–25.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 24 January 2023.
Action
Invest an additional £1 billion through the Discharge Fund to support timely hospital discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 January 2023.
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 24 January 2023.
North West Wales
Concerns raised1
Failure to implement an ambulance handover plan to reduce lost hours and improve ambulance 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.
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
Share the local Ysbyty Gwynedd ambulance handover plan and related emergency department and hospital protocols across Health Board sites for local adoption.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 October 2022.
Action
Maintain the Handover Improvement Plan with BCU Health Board and NCCU, using integrated commissioning action plans and fortnightly meetings to improve system flow and ambulance availability.
Stated by Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 October 2022.
Cheshire
Concerns raised1
Delays in handing over ambulance patients at A&E departments
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.1
Action
Continue lobbying national bodies for changes to reduce hospital handover delays and improve ambulance capacity.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 October 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
System-wide causes of ambulance delays must be addressed nationally by NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the wider health system.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Delays in handing over ambulance patients at hospitals
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.12
Action
Issue a joint national letter requiring systems to address risks from prolonged ambulance handover delays.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Hold follow-up meetings with care systems and require them to set out plans for tackling handover delays and sharing system-level risks.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Provide targeted and intensive support, including capital and revenue support where required, to trusts experiencing the greatest ambulance handover delays.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Develop a wider support programme for acute trusts to improve ambulance handover performance.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Work across Integrated Care Boards to determine the capacity required to support performance and how it can be delivered.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Issue national guidance on increasing urgent and emergency care capacity and operational resilience, including action on Category 2 response times and ambulance handover delays.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Continue exploring options to minimise hospital-discharge delays, including capacity for people needing ongoing non-acute care.
Stated by WILL QUINCE MPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Coordinate a system-wide programme with all partners to improve urgent and emergency care flow and reduce ambulance handover delays.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care SystemStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Carry out a multi-stakeholder improvement event to achieve a further step change in urgent and emergency care delivery.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care SystemStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Increase use of Same Day Emergency Care and introduce surgical assessment virtual wards to support safe early discharge.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care SystemStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Commission additional community beds and ambulance support for complex discharges to improve bed availability and discharge flow.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care SystemStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
Action
Develop and fund the Birmingham and Solihull virtual-ward plan to support early discharge, admission avoidance and reduced ambulance turnaround times.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care SystemStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 September 2022.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised2
Risk of deaths associated with delayed ambulance transfer or unavailability
Delays in ambulance handovers across BCUHB sites
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Norfolk
Concerns raised1
Inability to offload ambulances promptly, delaying access to x-ray
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Physical constraints prevent X-rays on ambulances; no alternative exists beyond careful clinical assessment during busy periods.
Stated by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King'S Lynn, NHS Foundation TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulances clearing Accident and Emergency departments
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
Establish a national discharge taskforce comprising local government, NHS and national government representatives.
Stated by WILL QUINCE MPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Continue exploring options to minimise hospital-discharge delays, including capacity for people needing ongoing non-acute support.
Stated by WILL QUINCE MPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Norfolk
Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain emergency department and inpatient capacity for timely ambulance admissions
This report raised 5 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.15
Action
Continue commissioning Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers across the three acute hospitals to coordinate handover and ambulance turnaround.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Support further development and expansion of GP Streaming Units across the three acute hospitals to improve patient flow and prompt assessment.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Expand Same Day Emergency Care provision across acute hospital sites as an alternative pathway to Emergency Department attendance.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Coordinate the system Discharge Programme, including joint planning, delivery and monitoring of hospital-flow and discharge improvements.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Commission additional health and social care beds, community care packages and domiciliary care to increase discharge capacity.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Fund additional social workers and use external agencies to provide Care Act assessments and domiciliary care supporting discharge home.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Deliver the Leading for System Change project to identify and address system-wide discharge barriers.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Coordinate local improvement, escalation and monitoring programmes covering ambulance alternatives, falls response, Emergency Department surge, care homes, workforce and discharge.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Develop a virtual ward across the three acute hospitals to support early discharge and avoid Emergency Department attendance.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Deliver six new ambulance hubs to reduce handover delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Deliver 42 new or upgraded hospital discharge lounges to support safe, timely discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Provide 5,000 additional staffed permanent hospital beds.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Scale up virtual ward capacity beyond its existing level.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Provide dedicated funding for social care to reduce beds occupied by patients ready for discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Action
Establish Same Day Emergency Care services across every hospital with a major emergency department.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 January 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
The rapid-release protocol can only be mobilised in specific clinical circumstances, limiting its use to reduce ambulance handover delays.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Discharge capacity was constrained after national funding ended and the ICB’s temporary local funding extension ceased.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Safe discharge depends fundamentally on adequate social care provision, limiting the system’s ability to relieve hospital congestion independently.
Stated by NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care BoardUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire
Concerns raised1
Excessive delays in handing over patients at hospital
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
Set a national policy requiring hospital handovers to take no more than 15 minutes.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 November 2021.
Action
Work with ambulance services to eliminate hospital handover delays.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 18 November 2021.
Action
Support systems to improve hospital flow by reducing length of stay and enabling timely discharge.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 18 November 2021.
Action
Reiterate communications to systems on eliminating ambulance handover delays and share measures addressing those delays.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 November 2021.
Action
Make additional winter funding available to support investment in Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer staff.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 November 2021.
Action
Conduct length-of-stay reviews for long-stay patients to support discharge when clinically optimised.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 November 2021.
Action
Work with social care to increase domiciliary care access and placements for patients who do not need hospital admission.
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 18 November 2021.
Action
Work with NHS and social care colleagues to reduce hospital patients who no longer need inpatient beds and improve emergency department flow.
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 18 November 2021.
Action
Implement and follow a standard operating procedure for safely managing ambulance arrivals when crews and patients must be held.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 November 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Ambulance delays are multifactorial and system-wide, so attributing the concern specifically to this Trust is not justified.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Resolving ambulance delays requires action by ambulance, primary care, mental health, community and social care providers, not this Trust alone.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Without coordinated action by other health and care organisations, this Trust alone cannot reduce ambulance delays sufficiently.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Gwent
Concerns raised1
Delays in transferring patients into hospital care, preventing emergency ambulance release
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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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.
