Recurring concern
Unreliable emergency response to patient collapse
First reported 16 Dec 2013•Latest report 26 May 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures in the dedicated emergency-response process for a collapsed patient, including response guidance and policies, staff training and familiarity with emergency systems, recognition and escalation, emergency equipment use, attendance, positioning and resuscitation actions.
Not included
- Excludes generic emergency-response or resuscitation deficiencies where patient collapse is not the identified operational context.
- Excludes failures limited to later hospital treatment, admission or post-resuscitation care after the immediate collapse response was adequate.
- Excludes generic staffing, communication or documentation deficiencies unless they directly impair the emergency response to patient collapse.
- Excludes condition-specific emergency systems, such as Code Blue or agonal-breathing recognition, when that named system provides the more specific supported parent boundary.
- Excludes the occurrence or outcome of a collapse where no deficiency in the dedicated response process is identified.
- Reports
- 33
- Individual concerns
- 47
- Date range
- 2013–2026
- Stated actions
- 77
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
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.
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.
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Concerns raised1
Failure of nursing staff to call ambulances without prior senior clinician approval
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Complete refresher Intermediate Life Support training for the nurse involved.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Disseminate to nursing staff that emergency services may be called without senior permission and physical health may contribute to behaviour.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Nursing staff do not require senior permission to call emergency services; this is not agreed Trust practice.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to perform and respond appropriately to basic checks and signs of life during resuscitation
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Provide basic life-support training for all senior staff and registered nurses.
Stated by WESTMORLAND HEALTHCARE LIMITED -
Action
Conduct daily walk-round audits that test staff knowledge of ABCDE assessment and recognition of cardiac arrest.
Stated by WESTMORLAND HEALTHCARE LIMITED -
Action
Followed up the provider’s actions addressing the CPR incident, including staff refresher training and action concerning the involved nurse.
Stated by Care Quality Commission
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Action
Continue the fitness-to-practise investigation into the registered nurse and decide whether to progress or close the case for public-protection reasons.
Stated by Nursing and Midwifery Council -
Action
Complete a risk assessment to determine whether urgent interim restrictions or suspension are required to protect the public.
Stated by Nursing and Midwifery Council -
Action
Keep the decision not to impose an interim order under review pending new information.
Stated by Nursing and Midwifery Council
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
An interim order restricting or suspending the nurse’s practice was not considered necessary for public protection or otherwise in the public interest.
Stated by Nursing and Midwifery Council
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Concerns raised2
Failure to activate emergency alarms immediately
Failure to promptly inform and coordinate with the site co-ordinator during emergencies
This report raised 14 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
Deliver drop-in refresher life-support training for clinical and administrative staff, emphasizing immediate help-seeking and pinpoint-alarm use.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Conduct a medical-emergency simulation with Derwent Centre staff and share incident learning for incorporation into current training.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust -
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 Trust
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Concerns raised3
Failure to assess an unresponsive prisoner and consider CPR before death is certified
Delays in providing CPR after cardiac arrest
Failure to consider placing an unresponsive prisoner in the recovery position
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Update the emergency-response training video and distribute it to training centres and prisons for staff training.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Review first-aid policy and collaborate on updated guidance covering CPR commencement and signposting safer-custody guidance.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Resume local FAW and EFAW training, prioritising night-group staff and extending training to Custodial Managers and other officers.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Concerns raised1
Failure of nursing cardiac-arrest response to follow resuscitation guidelines
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Conduct monthly physical-health simulation training across inpatient units and continue emergency simulations on Cazaubon Ward.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Add a weekly ward-managers agenda item to plan East Ham Care Centre simulation exercises.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Provide further Immediate Life Support training to the two staff members involved in the incident.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust
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Action
Discuss resuscitation policy and emergency-management topics during Cazaubon Ward staff away days.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Advise Cazaubon Ward staff to use the DNACPR forms red folder as the first emergency reference.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Provide an electronic DNACPR alert in RiO as a secondary aid.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Include CPR status formally in every Cazaubon Ward nursing-shift handover.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Amend resuscitation policy to emphasise RiO recording, CPR communication and early defibrillator use.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure nursing staff are trained and familiar with emergency systems for responding to patient collapse
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Check for new temporary staff at every shift start and complete a signed first-shift induction covering emergency and resuscitation procedures, equipment locations and reporting processes.
Stated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Existing qualification, training, induction, audit and spot-check arrangements are considered sufficient to ensure temporary ED staff understand emergency procedures.
Stated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Lack of frequent appropriate emergency resuscitation training
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Provide and competency-assess Basic Life Support and DNACPR training, including practical choking and CPR assessment.
Stated by Bupa -
Action
Have the Internal Lead Inspector attend Basic Life Support training to assess its quality and efficacy.
Stated by Bupa -
Action
Retrain remaining Highgate staff and ensure they are competent and confident to manage future choking, cardiac arrest and CPR incidents.
Stated by Bupa
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Action
Consider implementing more frequent competency checks or opportunities to practise chest compressions.
Stated by Bupa
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Existing evidence indicates Highgate BLS delegates passed competency assessments, disputing that training competence was absent.
Stated by Bupa
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Position
Annual BLS training frequency is not out of step with other social care providers.
Stated by Bupa
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Concerns raised4
Failure of nursing staff to enter the seclusion room without a doctor present during an emergency
Delays in calling the rapid response team when non-respiration is suspected
Inadequate resuscitation training and emergency-equipment familiarity among the only available doctor
Failure to enter a seclusion room promptly when non-respiration is suspected
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 concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure of school staff to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation when a child becomes unresponsive
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Deliver Basic Life Support and CPR training to 70 staff on 12 and 14 January 2022 as part of regular training.
Stated by Swiss Cottage School - Development & Research Centre
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Concerns raised1
Failure to commence CPR when a reversible cause for collapse overrides a DNAR order
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 concernsEach 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
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Position
The Trust disputes that an immediate reversible cause existed to override the DNAR order, concluding that no airway obstruction was present.
Stated by Barts Health NHS Trust
Data last updated 7 September 2026