First reported 24 Feb 2014•Latest report 23 Mar 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes recurring failures, resource constraints, dispatch problems and other dedicated ambulance-service response failures that result in delayed attendance to patients or emergency calls.
Not included
Excludes delays occurring after ambulance arrival, including hospital handover and crew-release delays.
Excludes delays in other emergency services, such as police, fire and rescue, or specialist clinical on-call attendance.
Excludes generic staffing, capacity or information-sharing deficiencies unless the reports explicitly tie them to delayed ambulance attendance.
Reports
118
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
129
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
460
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.
Department of Health and Social Care53
NHS England25
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust22
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB9
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust8
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives7
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust7
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust6
Welsh Government6
Conwy County Borough Council4
Denbighshire County Council4
Flintshire County Council4
Gwynedd Council4
Isle of Anglesey County Council4
NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board4
NHS trust57
Ministerial department53
Executive non-departmental public body25
Local health board15
Integrated care board14
Health-sector membership body7
Police force7
Devolved government6
Health professional body6
Type not available5
Welsh county borough council4
Welsh county council4
Healthcare site3
Other public body3
Coronial office2
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.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulance response
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 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.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulance and paramedic attendance for level 2 priority calls
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.
Sunderland
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ambulance resources causing delays to urgent responses
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.13
Action
Develop and approve an action plan with timescales for addressing the funding shortfall and delivering ambulance response standards.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Achieve a 25% frontline-staff abstraction target through a 33.3% relief rate and associated workforce efficiency.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Establish and operate an implementation group to develop, implement and oversee the detailed ORH implementation plan.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Improve crew shift start and finish times to increase crew availability.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Improve dispatch-team productivity by reducing the number of ambulances managed by each dispatcher.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Audit dispatch allocation times monthly and provide training or action plans where dispatchers need support.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Reduce C2 conveyance rates in Central and North divisions toward South division levels by 2021/22.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Work with Northumberland CCG to establish a multidisciplinary rapid response team for lower-acuity community cases.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Provide 50 additional E-Care course places to equip staff to leave suitable patients safely at home.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Reduce hospital handover times toward a 30-minute mean in each division by 2018/19.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Use a regional handover standard operating procedure and task-and-finish collaboration to improve accountability for ambulance handovers.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Base an operational manager permanently within two acute trusts to monitor, manage and escalate handover issues.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Implement the REAP and Escalation Policy defining actions for Emergency Operations Centre and operational staff in response to demand.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Implementing the new ambulance response standards requires £10.4 million recurrent investment; the £3.9 million shortfall prevents full delivery pending funding discussions.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Commissioners control withdrawal of £1.3 million from the emergency operations centre and will address resulting safety concerns after NHS111 procurement.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of responders for the designated response timeframe
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
Improve demand forecasting so available ambulance and crew hours more closely match service demand.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 February 2024.
Action
Work with commissioners on a jointly commissioned demand and capacity review to align resource requirements with service demand.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 February 2024.
Sunderland
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure timely dispatch and arrival of ambulance crews in response to 999 calls
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.10
Action
Complete a recruitment campaign to reduce paramedic vacancies and reach the workforce-plan establishment.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Secure funding for resources to recruit 84 additional staff, including 42 paramedics and 42 clinical care assistants.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Run regular paramedic training courses across the financial year and schedule additional courses to meet pipeline demand.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Conduct regular paramedic assessment dates.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Operate three double-crewed ambulances on daily afternoon and evening shifts in locations aligned with demand.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Commission and complete a demand and capacity review for the Ambulance Response Programme workforce requirements.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Discuss additional resource requirements with the Lead Commissioner and submit a formal contract variation.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Tackle hospital handover-to-clear delays, which have already been reduced by nearly 20%.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Reduce sickness absence and staff abstraction.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Action
Work with acute hospitals to reduce handover delays.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 January 2018.
Dorset
Concerns raised1
Failure to stagger ambulance crew shifts and meal breaks
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
Make the National Directors of Operations Group aware of the concerns and remind it to review rostering arrangements regularly.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 15 February 2018.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
The Department does not issue specific guidance on ambulance rostering structures or meal-break arrangements.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The Association lacks authority to mandate ambulance trusts to change their operating practices.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Existing arrangements require trusts to stagger breaks where possible, review rosters regularly, and provide emergency interruption options.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Manchester City
Concerns raised1
Failure of ambulance services to meet nationally set emergency response-time targets
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 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
Agree to implement an improved ambulance performance framework with national response standards and prioritised responses for the sickest patients.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 October 2017.
Action
Improve ambulance-trust productivity and efficiency through the ambulance improvement programme.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 2 October 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Provision of emergency ambulance services is assigned to the local NHS, including the North West Ambulance Service and its commissioners.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Continuing ambulance delays
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 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.10
Action
Operate the clinical response model that prioritises life-saving ambulance calls and provides bespoke responses for other patients.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Operate the Clinical Support Desk to provide telephone clinical triage and direct patients to appropriate care pathways.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Increase Clinical Support Desk staffing by up to 30 whole-time equivalents using secured Welsh Government funding.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Introduce Treatment Escalation Plans for nursing and residential homes to support safe care without ambulance conveyance.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Implement an escalation protocol for safely managing delayed ambulance handovers and releasing ambulances for urgent calls.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Operate the Local Escalation Action Plan to minimise ambulance handover delays, including hospital liaison support.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Use demand-management communications and escalation between ambulance and hospital senior managers during handover delays.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Apply paramedic guidance for identifying patients suitable for handover to the ED waiting room.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Provide triage, medical review, harm review, and physiological monitoring for patients delayed in ambulances at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
Action
Develop guidance for ambulance resources supporting patient discharge, transfer, routine transport, and repatriation.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 August 2017.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised2
Prolonged immobilisation in pain on the floor for seriously injured people awaiting ambulance care
Delays in providing ambulance responses to urgent 999 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 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
Conduct regular checks, diagnostics and treatment reviews for patients delayed in ambulances to minimise waiting times.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 August 2017.
Action
Coordinate immediate ambulance offload with WAST and emergency departments so ambulances can be released for potentially life-threatening calls.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 August 2017.
West Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Inadequacy of ambulance response times
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes recurring failures, resource constraints, dispatch problems and other dedicated ambulance-service response failures that result in delayed attendance to patients or emergency calls.
