Recurring concern
Failure to provide clinically required fluids
First reported 9 Sep 2014•Latest report 7 Feb 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures to provide, administer or maintain clinically required oral or intravenous fluids, including prolonged or repeated omissions and inadequate provision where the need for fluids is identified by the patient's condition, prescription or care plan.
Not included
- Excludes failures limited to fluid-balance recording, review, electrolyte monitoring or escalation when fluid provision itself was adequate.
- Excludes generic staffing, communication, documentation or bed-capacity deficiencies unless they directly result in failure to provide clinically required fluids.
- Excludes failures concerning unrelated treatments, medicines or nutritional provision where fluids are not the shared unsafe condition.
- Excludes fluid restriction or withholding when it is clinically indicated and safely managed.
- Reports
- 11
- Individual concerns
- 12
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 7
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 to provide timely intravenous fluids and antibiotics to ambulance-held patients with suspected infection
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 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.3
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Position
The Care Quality Commission will provide a separate response to the concerns.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Position
The internal review found no evidence that CQC advised the trust not to treat patients remaining on ambulances.
Stated by Care Quality Commission -
Position
Providing operational clinical advice about where or how specific patients should be treated falls outside CQC’s remit.
Stated by Care Quality Commission
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Concerns raised1
Delays in administering fluids
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
Adherence to existing Trust Sepsis guidance will ensure fluids are prioritised in unwell patients.
Stated by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Delays in initiating prescribed intravenous fluids and antibiotic treatment
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.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Inadequate provision of fluids to seriously unwell 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 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
Carry out a Trust-wide quality-improvement project covering hydration and nutrition using recognised improvement methodology.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Roll out a Trust-wide fundamental-care framework containing common nutrition and hydration standards.
Stated by Stockport 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
The records showed positive, though declining, fluid balance, so the response disputes that the patient became increasingly dehydrated.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide timely and appropriate fluids
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.1
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Action
Provide ongoing Sepsis training on the Sepsis 6 bundle and NEWS documentation, escalation and implementation to medical and nursing staff.
Stated by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health Board
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Concerns raised1
Unavailability of thickened fluids during outpatient appointments
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.
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
For temporary transfers, existing host-ward responsibility, Electronic Whiteboard access and transfer policy address dietary-information communication.
Stated by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Position
COVID-19 operational pressures prevent implementing all planned safety changes in the near future.
Stated by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide fluids during the patient's wait for a Renal Unit bed
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 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
Lack of staff training to administer intravenous fluids in the psychiatric unit
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 raised2
Failure to provide prescribed intravenous fluids
Failure to implement prescribed intravenous fluid treatment
This report raised 10 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
Implement an Electronic Prescribing System to prevent recurrence of fluid and potassium administration problems.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Issue a Trust Safety Alert instructing staff to prescribe infusions in the normal drug-chart section rather than the once-only section.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Add a drug-chart front-page prompt reminding staff to prescribe infusions in the normal section.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure of intravenous infusion delivery to provide the intended fluid dose
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.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026