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.
Northamptonshire
Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain sufficient emergency ambulance resources to meet response standards
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
Maintain the increased ambulance capacity delivered during 2023/24.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 August 2024.
Action
Continue regular regional review meetings with EMAS on support needed to improve response times and care quality.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 August 2024.
Gwent
Concerns raised2
Delays in ambulance responses to potentially life-threatening emergencies
Failure to release emergency ambulances from acute hospitals promptly
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
Set in-year aspirations for local health boards to reduce ambulance handovers exceeding one hour by 30% by December 2024.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Establish and fund the Six Goals programme to support improvements in ambulance handover, patient flow and urgent and emergency care.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Escalate ABUHB to enhanced monitoring and oversee agreed improvement requirements through enhanced monitoring, escalation and performance meetings.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Provide capital funding decisions on WAST vehicle-replacement business justification cases.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Provide funding for WAST workforce expansion and targeted investment in ambulance clinical triage resources and technology.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Provide additional funding to support urgent and emergency care improvements and local programme delivery in Gwent.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Provide £14 million capital investment to support expansion of the Grange University Hospital emergency department.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Action
Continue monitoring ambulance handover performance and the reduction of delays exceeding one hour.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 August 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Local health boards are responsible for planning and delivering ambulance-related health services locally.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The NHS Joint Commissioning Committee is responsible for determining funding allocated to the ambulance service.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
WAST and ABUHB are responsible for delivering services on the ground and should provide specific details of their actions.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Buckinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Failure of ambulance triage and prioritisation to provide sufficient time for emergency 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 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
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Develop and deploy the Dx0124 disposition code to identify overdose and suicide-attempt cases for priority clinical assessment.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Publish the national operational procedure for ambulance services managing Category 3 overdose and suicidal-ideation calls.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Review the overdose and suicidal-ideation operational procedure to ensure it remains fit for purpose.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Update JRCALC overdose and poisoning guidance to cover sodium nitrate/nitrite poisoning, TOXBASE and NPIS advice, oxygen administration, and rapid conveyance to hospital.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and NASMeD (National Ambulance Service Medical Directors groupStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The current overdose triage process, including urgent clinical assessment and escalation, is considered most suitable.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Ambulance attendance triage and prioritisation are outside AACE and NASMeD’s remit.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and NASMeD (National Ambulance Service Medical Directors groupOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of timely ambulance response capacity during periods of demand
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 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
Increase ambulance capacity through the Urgent and Emergency Care recovery plan.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 June 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Concerns outside NHS England’s national policy or programme remit are not addressed in this response.
Stated by NHS EnglandOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
NWAS, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, and the ICB should provide information on concerns assigned to them.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Gwent
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulance response to life-threatening emergencies
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.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in paramedics attending 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.1
Action
Provide £200 million of additional funding to expand ambulance capacity and improve response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 May 2024.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in category 3 ambulance responses
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.4
Action
Publish the Delivery Plan for recovering urgent and emergency care services, including actions to improve ambulance response times and capacity.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 May 2024.
Action
Maintain ambulance capacity increases achieved during 2023/24 to support improved response times.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 May 2024.
Action
Continue developing alternative referral pathways, including urgent community response, to provide timely and appropriate care.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 May 2024.
Action
Monitor achievement of all Ambulance Response Programme standards through the North West Ambulance Improvement Plan and regional urgent-care governance arrangements.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 May 2024.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide ambulance responses within the required 40 minutes
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
Provide £200 million in additional funding to ambulance trusts to expand capacity and improve response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Implement quality-improvement initiatives with acute trusts to reduce ambulance handover delays.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Agree and use a Joint Escalation Action Plan defining organisational actions to improve ambulance handover during system pressures.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Introduce and enact a Duty to Rescue protocol enabling senior clinical decisions on rapid handover and ambulance release during significant operational pressure.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Develop and improve alternative care pathways, including Urgent Community Response and direct Same Day Emergency Care access, to avoid appropriate hospital conveyance.
Stated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Action
Publish the Delivery plan for recovering urgent and emergency care services to improve ambulance and urgent-care performance.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 May 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Specific actions to improve ambulance response and hospital handover times will be provided directly by NHS England and the Integrated Care Board.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Wiltshire and Swindon
Concerns raised1
Failure to consistently meet ambulance response 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.1
Action
Provide £200 million in additional funding to ambulance trusts to expand capacity and improve response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
SWAST is best placed to determine and implement local action with NHS partners to reduce handover delays and improve ambulance response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Failure to meet target 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.7
Action
Coordinate system-wide urgent and emergency care responses through the Delivery and Improvement Board and System Co-ordination Centre, with escalation and safety oversight.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Review urgent treatment centre provision against local population needs and national guidance.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Provide the “Call before you convey” service to divert suitable older patients from hospital attendance into urgent community or wider community services.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Engage weekly with Integrated Care Boards through assurance and planning rounds to reduce emergency department crowding, improve acute front-door services, and release ambulance capacity.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Provide £200 million in additional funding to expand ambulance capacity and improve response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Provide £1 billion in dedicated funding to increase staffed core hospital beds by 5,000 against 2022/23 plans.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Make £1.6 billion available over two years to support timely hospital discharge and reduce admission delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Ambulance service commissioning is undertaken by Black Country ICB on behalf of West Midlands ICBs, with BSOL as an associate commissioner.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
NHS England and the Birmingham Integrated Care Board are best placed to address local ambulance response and hospital handover delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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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.
