First reported 9 Jan 2014•Latest report 2 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes recurring deficiencies in ambulance-service capacity, including insufficient funded ambulances, crews, emergency-response vehicles, staffing or resource resilience where these limit the service's ability to cover emergency calls and meet operational demand.
Not included
Excludes delayed ambulance attendance, dispatch, call triage, radio communication and hospital handover failures when ambulance capacity itself is not the deficient condition.
Excludes generic recruitment, retention or funding concerns unless they directly result in insufficient ambulance-service capacity for emergency calls.
Excludes a single unresourced call or isolated response delay where no continuing ambulance-capacity deficiency is asserted.
Reports
58
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
62
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
208
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 Care32
NHS England11
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust8
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives4
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust4
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust4
NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board3
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust3
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust3
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB2
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board2
NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board2
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust2
Welsh Government2
Aneurin Bevan University LHB1
Ministerial department32
NHS trust27
Executive non-departmental public body11
Integrated care board11
Local health board5
Health-sector membership body4
Devolved government2
Health professional body2
Type not available2
Airport operator1
Air transport operator1
Clinical commissioning group1
Community interest company1
Coronial office1
English unitary authority1
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.
Suffolk
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of ambulances for timely urgent transfers and emergency call attendances
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.17
Action
Publish the Delivery Plan for Recovering Urgent and Emergency Care Services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Provide £200 million of additional ambulance funding to expand capacity and improve response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Deliver new ambulances and specialist mental health vehicles.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Provide £1.6 billion over two years to support timely and effective hospital discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Increase the NHS ambulance and support workforce.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Boost the number of paramedics by up to 15,600 through the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Improve ambulance performance and response times across England.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Increase ambulance capacity by growing the workforce.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Speed up hospital discharges to support ambulance availability and urgent care flow.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Maintain and update the national framework for inter-facility ambulance transfers.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Recruit additional frontline clinicians to increase ambulance staffing, targeting more than 300 clinicians in place by March 2024.
Stated by The TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Recruit additional control-room clinicians to expand clinical triage and enable safer transfers to alternative services.
Stated by The TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Establish and operate the Suffolk Unscheduled Care Coordination Hub with healthcare partners to increase appropriate referrals and provide remote crew support.
Stated by The TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Implement the Operational Performance and Improvement Plan to improve organisational efficiency and maximise ambulance availability.
Stated by The TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Work with local acute trusts to reduce hospital delays affecting ambulance availability.
Stated by The TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Implement the Call before you convey programme with healthcare partners to support appropriate conveyance and pathway decisions.
Stated by The TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Action
Implement a same-day emergency care team at West Suffolk Hospital to direct patients to appropriate facilities and reduce emergency-department handover delays.
Stated by The TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 January 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
NHS England and the ambulance trust are responsible for responding to the report’s specific concerns within their respective remits.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
YAS staffing below the level required to meet expected demand
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.
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ambulance service capacity during periods of high demand
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.4
Action
Publish a delivery plan to recover urgent and emergency care services and improve waiting times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Maintain additional ambulance capacity funded to expand availability and improve response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Deliver new ambulances and specialist mental health vehicles.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
Action
Increase the ambulance workforce and plan to add up to 15,600 paramedics through the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 December 2023.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Lack of ambulance service capacity to respond to emergency call demand
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
Maintain additional ambulance capacity funded to improve response times during 2024/25.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Action
Deliver new ambulances and specialist mental health vehicles.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 December 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local action to improve ambulance response and patient handover times is assigned to South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, as best placed to respond.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Suffolk
Concerns raised1
Lack of sufficient ambulance resource in Suffolk
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.3
Action
Publish the delivery plan for recovering urgent and emergency care services.
Stated by Helen WhatelyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 November 2023.
Action
Maintain additional ambulance capacity funded to expand capacity and improve response times, alongside delivering new ambulances and specialist mental health vehicles.
Stated by Helen WhatelyStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 November 2023.
Action
Invest in expanding the ambulance workforce and support staff capacity.
Stated by Helen WhatelyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 November 2023.
Suffolk
Concerns raised1
Lack of sufficient ambulance resource in Suffolk
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 13 November 2023.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulance attendance for frail elderly patients with hip fractures
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
Publish a two-year delivery plan to recover urgent and emergency care services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 July 2023.
Action
Provide £200 million of additional ambulance funding 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 21 July 2023.
Action
Maintain the additional ambulance capacity during 2024/25.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 21 July 2023.
Action
Deliver new ambulances and specialist mental health vehicles.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 21 July 2023.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 July 2023.
Action
Maintain the hospital bed capacity uplift during 2024/25.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 21 July 2023.
Action
Scale up national virtual ward capacity to more than 10,000 beds.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 July 2023.
Action
Provide £1.6 billion over two years to support timely and effective hospital discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 July 2023.
Action
Review ambulance performance regularly through the regional Strategic Partnership and Transformation Board and work towards achieving Ambulance Response Programme standards.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 21 July 2023.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ambulance resource availability for timely 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.2
Action
Revisit the Clinical Safety Plan to address patient-safety risks when ambulances are unavailable.
Stated by Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 27 February 2023.
Action
Continue monitoring, updating and presenting the Reducing Patient Harm Action Plan to the Trust Board.
Stated by Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 27 February 2023.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in ambulance availability
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.6
Action
Maintain additional ambulance capacity to expand provision and improve response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 February 2023.
Action
Deliver new ambulances and specialist mental health vehicles.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 February 2023.
Action
Provide 5,000 additional staffed, permanent hospital beds and maintain the capacity uplift.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2023.
Action
Scale virtual ward capacity to more than 10,000 beds nationally.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2023.
Action
Provide funding to support timely and effective discharge from hospital.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2023.
Action
Continue working with NHS England to reduce ambulance response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 February 2023.
Milton Keynes
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ambulance service resources for emergency response demand
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 deficiencies in ambulance-service capacity, including insufficient funded ambulances, crews, emergency-response vehicles, staffing or resource resilience where these limit the service's ability to cover emergency calls and meet operational demand.
