Recurring concern
Failure to reliably recognise and respond to acute clinical deterioration
- Reports that mention this concern
- 103
- Times this concern has been raised
- 127
- Stated actions linked to this concern
- 169
What this concern includes
Includes failures to recognise, monitor, escalate, obtain clinical review for or respond to acute physical deterioration when the deterioration hazard itself is directly asserted.
What is not included
- Excludes generic communication, staffing, training or senior-oversight failures not directly tied to an identified deterioration episode or control.
- Excludes deterioration in mental health, and condition-specific systems that do not establish a wider acute-deterioration failure.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, 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.
Reports and published responses 103 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
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Concerns raised1
Failure of on-call consultants to obtain or receive updated information about patient deterioration
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring 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 to recognise deterioration in respiratory condition
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring 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 to complete National Early Warning System scoring after acute deterioration
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
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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University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
NEWS scores were not expected during the medical emergency because the early warning system had already fulfilled its function.
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University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
No remedial action was considered necessary because the medical records contained appropriate detail about AMU care and NEWS scores.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to reassess diagnoses and escalate treatment despite continuing clinical decline
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Stated actions 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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Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Hold staff study sessions to discuss case learning and encourage curiosity in clinical situations.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to monitor and respond promptly to postoperative neck and facial swelling
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring 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 to obtain appropriate senior medical review or support when deterioration is identified
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring 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 to provide close monitoring of patients at high risk of acute deterioration
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Barts Health NHS Trust
Stated actions 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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Barts Health NHS Trust
Implement revised NEWS and CREWS early warning scores across Newham University Hospital and the Trust.
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Barts Health NHS Trust
Pilot Vitalslink wireless vital-sign monitoring with real-time alerts linked to the electronic patient record.
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Barts Health NHS Trust
Improve participation by all on-call teams in refreshed hospital-at-night meetings to review patients flagged as at risk.
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Barts Health NHS Trust
Train nursing staff in recognising deteriorating patients and appropriately escalating concerns.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to escalate changes in patient condition for timely medical assessment
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Delays in recognising deteriorating condition
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring 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 to escalate care after deteriorating neurological observations
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Data last updated 7 September 2026