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.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised2
Failure to call an ambulance promptly following a concern for welfare call
Delays in ambulance attendance
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.8
Action
Train officers requiring additional medical support to telephone 999 from the scene so operators can liaise directly and allocate resources.
Stated by Devon & Cornwall PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 March 2025.
Action
Require officers using the police control room to explain why they cannot call 999 directly, and train police and ambulance personnel to record relevant information when liaising.
Stated by Devon & Cornwall PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 March 2025.
Action
Operate and update the handover Standard Operating Procedure, including escalation levels, locally agreed triggers and immediate handover arrangements.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 March 2025.
Action
Collaborate with hospitals, NHS England and system partners to reduce ambulance handover and wider system delays.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 March 2025.
Action
Provide Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer cover at Royal Cornwall Hospital and University Hospital Plymouth emergency departments.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 March 2025.
Action
Use the Operations Delivery Centre to minimise resource unavailability and increase resources available for patient responses.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 March 2025.
Action
Use dynamic internal mutual aid, including private ambulance provider resources, to support areas under greatest pressure.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 March 2025.
Action
Reinforce through first-aid training that officers may transport patients themselves as a last resort when their risk assessment considers this appropriate.
Stated by Devon & Cornwall PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 March 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
SWAST will address ambulance ETA and target-time issues directly in its response to the Regulation 28 report.
Stated by Devon & Cornwall PoliceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Teesside and Hartlepool
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ambulance service availability or resources for timely patient attendance
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
Prioritise improvements to Category 2 ambulance response times and urgent and emergency care services.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Work with commissioners, integrated care boards, acute providers and ambulance services to implement plans improving ambulance handovers.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Provide over £40 million in additional ambulance-service funding to increase vehicles on the road and strengthen clinical advisory services.
Stated by NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Establish an integrated urgent-care clinical assessment service providing multidisciplinary telephone triage and onward referral support for 111 and 999 callers.
Stated by NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Continue implementing system-wide improvement programmes with ambulance and acute hospital providers to improve ambulance response times during 2025/26.
Stated by NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Coordinate multi-agency ambulance-handover improvement and transformation work across the integrated care system.
Stated by NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Publish the 2025 mandate to NHS England prioritising improved A&E and ambulance waiting times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Publish NHS planning guidance requiring action to improve Category 2 ambulance response times and reduce avoidable dispatches, conveyances and handover delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Publish lessons learned from winter urgent and emergency care pressures.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Put in place improvements to urgent and emergency care services ahead of the next winter.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of ambulances for attending 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 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.5
Action
Publish the 2025 NHS mandate prioritising improvements to A&E and ambulance waiting times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Publish 2025–26 NHS planning guidance with a target for average Category 2 ambulance responses and actions to reduce dispatches, conveyances and handover delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Improve ambulance hear-and-treat rates, including clinician-provided telephone advice and treatment for more Category 2 incidents.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Clinically navigate, validate and appropriately triage all Category 3 and 4 999 ambulance calls through control centres or Single Points of Access.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Implement plans to improve ambulance handovers, response times and urgent and emergency care flow.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Somerset
Concerns raised1
Delays in allocating ambulances
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.6
Action
Implement and update the handover-delay standard operating procedure, including escalation levels, locally agreed triggers and immediate handover arrangements.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2025.
Action
Collaborate with hospitals and system partners through operational meetings, regional task groups and senior county-level meetings to reduce handover delays.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2025.
Action
Provide Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer support at acute hospitals when required to improve patient flow.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2025.
Action
Use the Operations Delivery Cell to minimise resource unavailability and increase response capacity.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2025.
Action
Use mutual aid, including private ambulance providers, to strengthen system support during periods of high demand.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2025.
Action
Implement the Somerset Timely Handover Process to initiate rapid handover when transfer has not occurred within 90 minutes of arrival.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Handover delays cannot be resolved by SWAST alone and require action by hospitals and wider system partners.
Stated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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
Set out lessons learned from winter and planned urgent and emergency care improvements before the following winter.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 December 2024.
Action
Implement urgent and emergency care improvements identified through winter learning before the following winter.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 December 2024.
Derby and Derbyshire
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulance attendance for people who have fallen at home
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.2
Action
Implement area-wide options to further mitigate the risk of prolonged waits on the floor after a fall.
Stated by NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 11 November 2024.
Action
Continue multi-agency work with local authorities and voluntary-sector partners to minimise ambulance response times.
Stated by NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 November 2024.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure to adhere to national ambulance response-time targets
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
Issue a national directive requiring clinical validation of Category 3 and Category 4 ambulance responses in NHS 111 and 999 services.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 November 2024.
Action
Support the NHS, including ambulance services, to achieve safe operational response-time standards.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 6 November 2024.
Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
Concerns raised1
Delays in responding to Amber 1 emergency 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.9
Action
Embed new clinical roles in control rooms to triage 999 calls earlier and support more effective care decisions.
Stated by Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Action
Action all Red ambulance-release requests and facilitate prompt release of identified emergency resources.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Action
Assess, document and notify site management of decisions to decline Amber1 ambulance-release requests.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Action
Carry out a targeted programme to redesign urgent and emergency care access, services, staffing and infrastructure to reduce patient harm and service failure.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Action
Set annual NHS planning expectations and ambulance handover, patient-flow and delayed-discharge improvement priorities, including a 30% reduction aspiration.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Action
Monitor delivery of urgent and emergency care priorities through bi-monthly Integrated Quality, Planning and Delivery meetings.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Action
Develop and publish national ambulance patient handover guidance setting expectations for relevant NHS organisations and clinicians.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Action
Launch a 50-day integrated care winter challenge funded by additional Welsh Government funding to accelerate safe alternatives to admission and timely discharge.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Action
Continue engaging with other UK nations and seek to transfer learning to improve ambulance patient handover performance in Wales.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 October 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
No additional actions are proposed because existing plans and measures already address ambulance response risks.
Stated by Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Emergency department handover delays reduce ambulance capacity and constrain the Trust’s ability to provide timely responses despite internal improvement measures.
Stated by Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Determining WAST clinical priorities and resource allocation is outside the Health Board’s role.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Delivering emergency ambulance services in line with commissioning intentions is the ambulance trust’s responsibility.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Worcestershire
Concerns raised1
Failure to meet applicable Category 2 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.
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
Return urgent and emergency care operations to the safe waiting-time standards set out in the NHS Constitution.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 24 October 2024.
Action
Improve hospital flow, reduce delayed discharges, and increase urgent and emergency care capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 October 2024.
East Riding and Hull
Concerns raised1
Failure to achieve target ambulance response standards for Category 1 and Category 2 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.4
Action
Work jointly through the Executive Led Partnership Board to agree ambulance-service improvement priorities and allocate additional investment.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Share the Regulation 28 response, report and concerns with the Hull and East Riding Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Focus national work on increasing ambulance capacity through workforce growth.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Improve patient flow through hospitals and reduce ambulance handover delays.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
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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.
