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
Failure to complete ambulance handovers within 15 minutes of arrival at the emergency department
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
Invest an additional £1 billion through the Discharge Fund to support timely and effective 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 3 April 2024.
Action
Ensure every acute hospital has access to a care transfer hub supporting complex discharges and early planning.
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
SWAST and RCHT are best placed to determine and implement local action 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.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Delays in offloading patients at hospitals tying up ambulance resources
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 additional funding to expand ambulance capacity and increase staffed hospital beds.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 March 2024.
Action
Participate with YAS and regional ICBs in joint priority-setting, performance improvement and additional investment allocation.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 March 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board will respond on the specific local actions being taken to support ambulance response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
Concerns raised1
Delays in offloading patients into hospital
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
Work with the Welsh Ambulance Service to develop use of pressure-relieving equipment during ambulance transport and delayed handover situations.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 March 2024.
Action
Apply a zero-tolerance threshold to ambulance off-load delays exceeding 10 hours as part of improving handover times.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 March 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Existing plans, resource measures and organisational monitoring are considered sufficient, so no further action is proposed on ambulance and hospital delays.
Stated by Welsh Ambulance Services OfficeExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
REACT assessments largely prevent significant harm during delayed ambulance handovers by identifying patient risks and enabling immediate treatment or prevention.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Use of pressure-relieving ambulance equipment depends on the Welsh Ambulance Service accepting the Health Board’s existing offer of equipment.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Delays in hospital handover holding up ambulance resources
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
Direct each Local Health Board to develop a local Six Goals plan incorporating ambulance handover and patient-flow improvements.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 February 2024.
Action
Implement the Pathways of Care Delays Reporting Framework to provide regional data for targeting discharge interventions.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 February 2024.
Action
Issue guidance setting expectations and targets for timely ambulance handover, including required actions when handover exceeds 60 minutes.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 February 2024.
Action
Monitor and scrutinise Local Health Board and ambulance-service performance against ambulance handover targets through regular assurance meetings and escalation arrangements.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 February 2024.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Delays in offloading ambulance patients 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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Failure to admit ambulance patients promptly and return ambulances to active duty
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.7
Action
Communicate annual priorities requiring health boards to improve ambulance handovers and patient flow.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Establish a national urgent and emergency care improvement programme and direct health boards to develop local improvement plans.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Direct the Chief Ambulance Services Commissioner to monitor improvement plans through Emergency Ambulance Services Committee governance.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Implement an NHS Wales ambulance patient handover improvement plan for winter 2023/2024.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Hold health board chairs accountable for ambulance handover improvements and seek collective assurance through regular national meetings.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Use monthly integrated quality, planning and delivery meetings and six-monthly Joint Executive Team meetings to monitor and challenge ambulance handover performance.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Scope and formalise additional Emergency Department capacity, including a dedicated speciality waiting area.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Responsibility for delivering health services, including ambulance handover improvements, rests with the health board rather than Welsh Ministers.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Delays in offloading ambulance patients at hospitals
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.3
Action
Deliver 5,000 additional staffed, permanent hospital beds and maintain this capacity uplift in 2024/25.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Action
Scale up national virtual ward capacity to more than 10,000 beds.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Action
Provide £1.6 billion over two years to support timely and effective hospital discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated 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.1
Position
Local action to improve ambulance response and patient handover times is assigned to South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, as best placed to respond.
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 raised2
Seasonal increases in ambulance and hospital demand creating risk of life-threatening delays
Excessive ambulance handover delays at hospitals
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
Expand ambulance capacity through additional funding and maintain the additional capacity in 2024/25.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 November 2023.
Action
Deliver 5,000 additional staffed, permanent hospital beds and maintain the capacity uplift in 2024/25.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 November 2023.
Action
Scale up virtual ward capacity to more than 10,000 beds nationally.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 November 2023.
Action
Provide £1.6 billion over two years to support timely and effective 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 29 November 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
SWAST and Royal Cornwall Hospital are best placed to respond on continuing local action 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.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Handover delays impacting ambulance response times for patients requiring emergency treatment or conveyance to 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.8
Action
Strengthen divisional structures by giving Urgent Care full responsibility for corporate site management and coordinated patient flow.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 February 2024.
Action
Hold weekly Patient Safety Flow meetings with executive participation and 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 14 February 2024.
Action
Operate a Flow Centre that screens ambulance and general-practitioner admissions and streams patients to appropriate hospitals and departments.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 February 2024.
Action
Redirect clinically appropriate patients with specified conditions to eLGH sites for more rapid assessment and treatment.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 14 February 2024.
Action
Revise the escalation framework so ambulance handover delay escalation points are appropriate.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 14 February 2024.
Action
Improve discharge-lounge use to create ward capacity and support ambulance handover times.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 14 February 2024.
Action
Improve Same Day Emergency Care services at GUH and YYF Hospitals and increase patient selection to release emergency capacity.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 February 2024.
Action
Introduce focused patient-safety events across Health Board sites to improve discharge processes and reduce patients awaiting discharge.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 14 February 2024.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Delays in hospital handover reducing 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.5
Action
Speed up hospital discharges to support urgent and emergency care recovery.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Publish operational-resilience guidance focused on improving accident-and-emergency and ambulance handover times.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Deliver 5,000 additional staffed, permanent hospital beds and maintain the capacity uplift.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Scale up virtual ward capacity to more than 10,000 beds nationally.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Provide £1.6 billion over two years to support timely and effective hospital discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
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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.
