First reported 30 Aug 2013•Latest report 8 May 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes availability, stock, checking, maintenance or servicing failures that leave essential clinical equipment or supplies unavailable or unfit for use.
Not included
Excludes non-clinical equipment and vehicle, environmental, or recreational-equipment checks.
Excludes failures concerning the operation or use of equipment during care when no equipment-readiness or serviceability check is implicated.
Excludes generic staffing, training, documentation, audit, or supervision deficiencies unless they are specifically tied to the reliability of daily clinical-equipment serviceability checks.
Excludes checks of patient condition, care processes, messages, or other non-equipment objects.
Reports
41
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
46
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
43
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.
NHS England6
Department of Health and Social Care4
Care Quality Commission3
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust2
General Pharmaceutical Council2
Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership2
Royal College of Physicians2
Association Of Anaesthetists (Great Britain & Ireland)1
Avenue House Nursing and Care Home1
Ayuntamiento de La Oliva1
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust1
Barts Health NHS Trust1
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
Brunswick Ward at Lindridge1
Care UK1
NHS trust22
Healthcare site10
Executive non-departmental public body7
Ministerial department4
Private limited company4
Health and care professional regulator3
Health and social care service regulator3
Health professional body3
Integrated care board3
Executive agency2
Health-system partnership2
Independent healthcare provider2
Nursing home2
Registered charity2
Residential care home2
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.
West London
Concerns raised1
Lack of airway equipment
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.3
Action
Obtain provider assurance on emergency preparedness, equipment availability and staff training.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 July 2026.
Action
Require providers to review airway needs, maintain appropriate nursing competencies, and provide airway equipment and training where clinically indicated.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 July 2026.
Action
Develop and finalise individualised first aid support plans for people supported at Roy Kinnear House, including emergency interventions, equipment and staff training.
Stated by Choice SupportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 2 July 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Airway equipment is provided only where clinically indicated, prescribed and documented in an individual's care plan.
Stated by Choice SupportExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Health professionals determine appropriate emergency interventions and the training required to deliver them for each individual.
Stated by Choice SupportRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Out-of-date PAT testing for oxygen equipment
This report raised 18 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
The hospital trust is responsible for providing the response and addressing the reported concerns through its governance arrangements and actions.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The oxygen concentrators did not require portable appliance testing because there was no legal requirement for supplier testing.
Stated by the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
East Sussex
Concerns raised1
Failure to monitor life support equipment for faults
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
Implement fortnightly emergency-bag checks, daily seal checks, monthly audits and bimonthly dip tests to verify equipment readiness and drug validity.
Stated by Practice Plus GroupStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 October 2025.
East London
Concerns raised1
Lack of monitoring equipment in the majors area of A&E
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.1
Action
Implement electronic observations and Early Warning Score visibility across Emergency Department clinical areas using the upgraded patient record and observation machines.
Stated by Barts Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 June 2025.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of promptly accessible suction for aspiration during rapid sequence induction
This report raised 9 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
Communicate and reinforce the use of cricoid pressure for rapid sequence induction in bowel obstruction through meetings, induction training, and simulation training.
Stated by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 February 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The College will not comment on the provision of general anaesthesia in operating theatres.
Stated by Royal College of Emergency MedicineOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Inner North London
Concerns raised2
Failure to provide and replace medical equipment with correct, functional equipment
Delays in delivering required medical equipment
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
Improve the product ordering system to clarify which equipment is in place.
Stated by Nottingham Rehab Limited (trading as NRS HealthcareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2025.
Action
Improve communications with hospital discharge teams.
Stated by Nottingham Rehab Limited (trading as NRS HealthcareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2025.
Action
Conduct weekly oversight meetings with commissioners and key partners to identify equipment-access concerns, review performance indicators, and monitor improvement.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2025.
Action
Continue regional meetings with equipment commissioners and key partners to oversee performance indicators and support consortium members and associated providers.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Responsibility for installing the Tri-Pos pump is not accepted because it was unavailable through the approved catalogue and technician access.
Stated by Nottingham Rehab Limited (trading as NRS HealthcareDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Responsibility for the equipment contract and its oversight rests with the London Community Equipment Consortium and local authorities, not NHS England.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The alleged initial equipment-delivery delay is not accepted because the equipment was delivered within the applicable service-agreement timescale.
Stated by Nottingham Rehab Limited (trading as NRS HealthcareDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Maintenance failing to identify ERC wear and tear
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.1
Action
Investigate the reported heart-lung machine safety concerns and determine appropriate follow-up action.
Stated by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory AgencyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Standard ERC clamp maintenance is sufficient; its closed design and very low failure rate do not warrant a specific wear-and-tear inspection schedule.
Stated by LivaNovaExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Concerns raised1
Lack of availability of required equipment
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.1
Action
Require and assess additional supporting information and policies during registration, including applicants’ commitment to providing equipment meeting intended service users’ needs.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 27 December 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Care and treatment provided at event sites falls outside regulatory functions until new regulations take effect.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Festimed Ltd, as the original respondent, was better placed to respond to concerns about care provided at the event site.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
East London
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of AAI stock in chemists for 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.2
Action
Review the use and supply of adrenaline auto-injectors.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 August 2024.
Action
Provide national colleagues with updates on the regional review of adrenaline auto-injector use and supply.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 August 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
The availability of adrenaline auto-injectors in pharmacies for emergencies cannot be commented on.
Stated by The British Society For Allergy & Clinical ImmunologyUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Manufacturing medicines and addressing wider adrenaline autoinjector supply and shortage issues fall outside the regulatory role.
Stated by General Pharmaceutical CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The Department of Health and Social Care, manufacturers and wholesalers are best placed to answer specific medicine availability enquiries.
Stated by General Pharmaceutical CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Training dentists and dental staff, and supplying adrenaline auto-injectors to pharmacies, fall outside the organisation’s role.
Stated by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child HealthOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Somerset
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide TED stockings or similar thromboprophylactic equipment
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.
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Includes availability, stock, checking, maintenance or servicing failures that leave essential clinical equipment or supplies unavailable or unfit for use.
