Recurring concern
Unreliable access to emergency communication
First reported 6 Jun 2014•Latest report 15 Apr 2025
What this concern includes
Includes failures of dedicated emergency communication facilities or arrangements where their unavailability, inaccessibility or unreliable operation can delay emergency assistance, including telephones, alarms, radios or equivalent means.
Not included
- Excludes inaccurate triage or categorisation of emergency calls.
- Excludes failures to record, route or share information after a communication has been received unless the report directly identifies this as a failure of the emergency communication access arrangement.
- Excludes ordinary customer-service or routine telephone-access problems without an emergency-response function.
- Excludes hazards created by telephone equipment, such as ligature risks, where the concern is the equipment's physical safety rather than access to emergency communication.
- Reports
- 46
- Individual concerns
- 49
- Date range
- 2014–2025
- Stated actions
- 51
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
Lack of a mechanism to broadcast a medical emergency by tannoy at the base
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 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
Absence of means for people in crisis to summon help
Lack of means for people experiencing mental health crisis to summon help at bridges
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.
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
Install four Samaritans crisis signs on the bridge parapets.
Stated by National Highways -
Action
Add the location to the South East Network Needs list for future funding prioritisation.
Stated by National Highways -
Action
Apply for future funding for a study into preventing future suicide events at the location.
Stated by National Highways
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
National Highways, as bridge asset owner, must essentially consider the required action, while the County Council can collaborate on potential solutions.
Stated by Hampshire County Council
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Position
Further measures, including CCTV or physical barriers, depend on a funded study establishing their suitability and securing future funding.
Stated by National Highways
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Concerns raised1
Lack of reliable emergency communication facilities in the residents’ dining room
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.
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
The CQC is not responsible for regulating the quality of Hibiscus House’s accommodation.
Stated by Care Quality Commission
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Position
The concern that no emergency alarm was available in the dining room is disputed because a functioning Care Link pull cord was installed there.
Stated by Hibiscus Housing Association Limited
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Concerns raised2
Lack of a written procedure for making a 999 emergency call
Unavailability of an external phone line for emergencies
This report raised 12 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 to check that vulnerable people have a working telephone for calling assistance or communicating
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
Establish a task-and-finish group to develop a discharge checklist covering utilities, safety equipment, environmental and occupational therapy assessments, and discharge-day home visits where indicated.
Stated by Leeds City Council -
Action
Purchase a temporary pay-as-you-go mobile phone for discharge where a telephone, personal mobile or required telecare equipment is unavailable.
Stated by Leeds City Council
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Concerns raised1
Lack of alternative arrangements enabling residents with disabilities to call for assistance from their rooms
This report raised 12 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
Unavailability of responder telephone numbers within the call handling system
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.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Unavailability of cordless telephones for emergency calls
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.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Confusion over Police procedures for requesting Ambulance support
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 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
Maintain and update the clinically informed ABD presentation covering recognition, management, emergency response and transfer options.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council -
Action
Develop a standardised ABD presentation and training template for police and ambulance control-room staff.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council
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
Chemical sedation and emergency-call categorisation are clinical matters for ambulance services, to which police officers defer.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council
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Position
Forces should address communication issues, including local ambulance-service arrangements, with their local emergency-service providers.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council -
Position
Information-passage arrangements between Police and Ambulance control rooms should be determined locally because technologies and working practices differ.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure first aider knowledge of ambulance-summoning arrangements
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.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026