Recurring concern

Insufficient ambulance service capacity for emergency calls

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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 emergency-service capacity outside ambulance services.
  • 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

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.

  1. Nottinghamshire

    AI-generated summary

    Peter Scott · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Peter Scott suffered an aortic dissection at home on 3 December 2015 and experienced a substantial delay in ambulance attendance after a call was prioritised as Green 2. The principal concern was that resource shortages, frequent use of Capacity Management Plans, recruitment problems and delayed hospital handovers posed a serious risk to the public and could contribute to future deaths.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient ambulance service resources and staffing capacity

    Wider context from the report

    “I remain very concerned about resource issues for this ambulance service. I raised similar concerns in a Prevention of Future Deaths Report in the case of MG, dated 11 May 2016. We heard evidence from a senior manager at EMAS during the inquest. I asked the service to advise me to what extent they had had to invoke Capacity Management Plans in the last 12 months. I was advised that EMAS has had to invoke such a Plan (to at least level 3) for 9 out of the last 12 months. The issue in this case and that of MG was essentially a matter of resource. In essence, I found that there is only so much an ambulance service can do where they simply do not have an ambulance to send. Demand is clearly greater than the resources they have most of the time, given that a CMP has been in place for 75% of the last 12 month period. I am very concerned that this poses a serious risk to the public served by this ambulance service. We heard also that recruitment is an ongoing problem – which may be exacerbated by the huge demand placed on its employees by this resource issue. Finally, I was made aware that one of the key problems in ensuring ambulance availability is delayed handover of patients at hospitals. I believe the trust is already working to improve this, and I include EMAS in this report in this respect only. Other recipients of the report are required to respond with regard to matters of resourcing only. 1. I consider that there is a risk of future deaths as set out above unless an urgent review of resources is undertaken. 2. Consideration should be given to strategies to improve handover times at hospitals. ”

    Source location

    Peter Scott · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Undertake a jointly commissioned external strategic review of ambulance capacity and demand.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Within the 2016/17 emergency ambulance contract CCGs have committed to undertake a jointly commissioned external strategic review focussing on capacity and demand in order to support delivery of an efficient ambulance service delivering performance across the region, with the outputs from the review being implemented over a three year period.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-Hardwick-CCG
    Page 1 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implement the strategic review’s outputs over a three-year period.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Within the 2016/17 emergency ambulance contract CCGs have committed to undertake a jointly commissioned external strategic review focussing on capacity and demand in order to support delivery of an efficient ambulance service delivering performance across the region, with the outputs from the review being implemented over a three year period.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-Hardwick-CCG
    Page 1 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Provide additional contract funding to support expansion of frontline ambulance resources.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “As part of the 2016/17 emergency ambulance contract settlement, Commissioners have provided additional funding to support EMAS to undertake further recruitment to increase their front-line establishment in order to ensure resources are available to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. The contract agreed is a block contract, which gives a year of financial certainty in relation to income, to give EMAS the confidence and ability to implement the necessary changes to delivering a timely response to all patients across the East Midlands.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-Hardwick-CCG
    Page 2 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Work with East Midlands Ambulance Service and partner organisations to address resourcing and improve emergency-call response times.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “I was very sorry to learn of the death of Mr Scott and the circumstances that led to it. NHS Improvement takes cases such as these very seriously and I would like to offer you the assurance that we are already working with the East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust and other partner organisations to address the issue of resourcing and to improve response times to emergency calls.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-NHS-Improvment
    Page 1 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Conduct an independent strategic review of staffing, vehicle and financial capacity required to meet demand.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “A key part of this year’s contract is the agreement to carry out an independent strategic demand, capacity and price review to look at the level of staff and vehicles needed, along with finance, to respond to increasing demand on the service. EMAS and the clinical commissioning groups have agreed to implement the outcomes of the review, and this should ensure EMAS is able to meet demand.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-East-Midlands-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implement the outcomes of the independent strategic demand, capacity and price review.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “A key part of this year’s contract is the agreement to carry out an independent strategic demand, capacity and price review to look at the level of staff and vehicles needed, along with finance, to respond to increasing demand on the service. EMAS and the clinical commissioning groups have agreed to implement the outcomes of the review, and this should ensure EMAS is able to meet demand.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-East-Midlands-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Recruit and educate 350 whole-time-equivalent frontline staff against the recruitment plan.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Despite funding challenges during 2015/16, EMAS proactively recruited and educated 350 whole time equivalent (wte) frontline posts against a recruitment plan target of 342. However, a higher level of turnover was experienced compared to that forecast (11% against a target of 8%). EMAS continues to recruit to the frontline again this year.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-East-Midlands-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Continue recruiting frontline staff during 2016/17.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Despite funding challenges during 2015/16, EMAS proactively recruited and educated 350 whole time equivalent (wte) frontline posts against a recruitment plan target of 342. However, a higher level of turnover was experienced compared to that forecast (11% against a target of 8%). EMAS continues to recruit to the frontline again this year.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-East-Midlands-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Produce a People Strategy to develop and support highly skilled, motivated, caring and compassionate staff.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “To address this, EMAS has produced a new People Strategy to develop and support our staff to be highly skilled, motivated, caring and compassionate professionals.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-East-Midlands-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Increase available DCA and FRV hours through staff recruitment and roster realignment to match increased demand.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Since April 2015 Nottinghamshire Division has increased the available hours for both Double Crewed Ambulance (DCA) and solo Fast Response Vehicles (FRV). This is through the recruitment of staff and realignment of rosters to match increased demand.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-East-Midlands-Ambulance-Service
    Page 4 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Responsibility for reviewing EMAS resources rests with local commissioners, who will undertake a joint external capacity-and-demand review.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The need to review the resources available to EMAS has been recognised locally. The responsible commissioners, NHS Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group (“CCG”), on behalf of 22 CCGs across the East Midlands, have committed to jointly undertake an external strategic review of capacity and demand with EMAS. The review, which was agreed as part of the 2016/17 contract between EMAS and CCG commissioners, will consider a wide range of issues including the current delivery model, staffing issues and vehicle numbers.”

    Source location

    2016-0199-Response-by-NHS-England
    Page 1 · response
    Published 26 May 2016

    Open published response

  2. Nottinghamshire

    AI-generated summary

    Mia Gibson · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Mia Gibson was born in very poor condition after her mother suffered a sudden placental abruption on 16 November 2015 and died later that day. The report identifies delays in ambulance availability and transfer to hospital, alongside concerns about recognition of the risk to the baby, ambulance crew availability and meal-break planning.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to schedule ambulance crew meal breaks to maintain emergency availability

    Wider context from the report

    “3. Dispatchers appear to have allowed a situation to arise whereby the only 2 DCAs not attending other jobs were both on compulsory meal breaks and therefore unavailable at the same time. Whilst meal breaks are vital for staff, planning the timing of these, by ambulance control, is critical for patient safety. Meal break management is already under review by EMAS. ”

    Source location

    Mia Gibson · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient availability of ambulance resources for urgent emergencies

    Wider context from the report

    “5. It is clear that resources played a part in these tragic events. No DCA was available to attend this emergency until 30 minutes after the call, and it took a further 12 minutes for a DCA to arrive after that. The time between the 999 call and ████████ being handed over to maternity staff was an hour and 15 minutes. It was clear from the outset that ████████ would require urgent transfer to hospital – a mere 4 miles from her home address – but no resource was available. The evidence of those ‘on the ground’ clearly showed that this is far from an isolated incident, and I remain concerned that there is a risk of future deaths if this is not addressed. ”

    Source location

    Mia Gibson · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report

  3. South Wales Central

    AI-generated summary

    Ronald Hamer · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Ronald Hamer, an elderly man living independently at home, fell in his bathroom on 8 February 2016 and remained immobilised on the floor for over 13½ hours before being found. He was taken to hospital after a delayed ambulance response and died there on the morning of 10 February 2016. Concerns included the ambulance response time, the lack of timely follow-up contact with the family, and inadequate planning and direction during periods of very high call volumes.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to maintain ambulance service delivery during significant call volumes

    Wider context from the report

    “3) The evidence suggested that at or around the time of the first call being made to the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust at around 6:50pm on the 8th February 2016 there was an extremely high number of calls being polled. The evidence suggested that there was an absence of clear planning and direction as to the maintenance and delivery of the Trust's services and that in repeat circumstances of such significant polling the same circumstances as found at the inquest of Mr Hamer could repeat themselves. ”

    Source location

    Ronald Hamer · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Develop an action plan addressing the Regulation 28 improvement requirements.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “I am writing in response to your letter dated 20 April 2016 and the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths issued by your office, following the inquest of Mr Ronald Hamer (Deceased). I would like to provide you with assurance that we are making progress with the actions being led by named individual staff and partners in order to take forward the key actions for improvement. Please find attached a copy of the Action Plan that the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust has developed as a result of this Regulation 28.”

    Source location

    2016-0149-Response-by-Welsh-Ambulance-Services-NHS-Trust
    Page 1 · response
    Published 20 April 2016

    Open published response

  4. Teesside

    AI-generated summary

    Mandeep SINGH · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Mandeep SINGH consumed high levels of alcohol and was found unconscious at home at approximately midnight after his wife found him lying on the floor. Although the ambulance call was assessed as R1 with a target response time of 8 minutes, the ambulance arrived after 27 minutes, and Mr Singh died in the ambulance. The investigation identified severe demand and staff shortages, as well as road closures and diversions, as factors in the delay.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Ambulance shortages amid severe demand

    Wider context from the report

    “A root cause analysis comprehensive and independent investigation report undertaken by the North East Ambulance Service discloses that the reasons for the delay of the ambulance arrival include severe demand and shortages in the division. Road closures and diversions did not assist the crews. ”

    Source location

    Mandeep SINGH · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Educate the public about appropriate ambulance-service use through extensive advertising and vehicle signage.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust is limited in ways in which it can control the calls made to it and the demand on its services. However, the Trust has undertaken initiatives to seek to educate both the public in relation to the appropriateness of making calls and to work with colleagues in other sectors to try to reduce the demand on Trust services.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 1 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Review the appropriateness of Red calls to reduce avoidable demand.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust has also carried out demand reduction work looking at how to reduce the number of red calls made by looking at the appropriateness of those red calls.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Work with GPs and other health colleagues to reduce requests for ambulance transfers.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust has worked with colleagues in relation to demand reduction. The Trust has worked with health colleagues for example GP’s, to ascertain whether requests for ambulance transfers can be reduced.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Work with police to reduce ambulance requests made by police.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust has also worked with the police to see if any reduction in ambulances requested by the police can be effected.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Run a six-month trial dispatching Emergency Medical Responders alongside ambulances for life-threatening community emergencies.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In January 2016, the Trust commenced a new six-month trial scheme with the four Fire and Rescue Services based in the region. This includes Cleveland Fire Brigade, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Introduce tri-responders working across police, fire and ambulance services.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Finally the Trust has worked in partnership with Durham Constabulary and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to introduce the region’s first tri-responders working for police, fire and ambulance. The Community First Responders work for Durham Constabulary as PCSOs, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service as retained firefighters and as first responders for the NEAS.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Operate the Emergency Care Workforce Plan and Task and Finish Group to increase emergency workforce numbers and address paramedic attrition.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In order to seek to address this shortfall, the Trust has been following an Emergency Care Workforce Plan. This Workforce Plan has always existed however, given the increase in attrition of staff, a Task and Finish Group was established in October 2014, in order to ensure that the Trust is employing as many strategies as possible to increase emergency workforce numbers. This includes a two-year programme designed to increase the number of paramedics employed by the Trust and involves various initiatives which are aimed at tackling the problem of paramedic attrition. We will explain in greater detail below the specific steps which the Trust is taking pursuant to the Workforce Plan to address resource and recruitment issues. It was previously hoped that the process to address the current shortfall in paramedics would be fully addressed by September 2016.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 4 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Recruit student paramedics, emergency care assistants and qualified paramedics to increase emergency response capacity.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust has been actively working to recruit more paramedics into the service in order to increase the resources it has available to respond to the higher volume of emergency calls which it is required to deal with in the present climate. The Trust has always had a workforce plan in place however new strategies have since been introduced after the Trust discovered in/around mid-2014 that more paramedics were leaving their employment than the numbers being recruited to fill vacancies.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 5 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Recruit an additional 40 student paramedics during 2016–2017.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “At this stage, the Trust has recruited 104 student paramedics and 204 emergency care assistants since January 2014. In addition the Trust has planned to recruit an additional 40 student paramedics during 2016/2017. The Trust has also recruited 31.5 qualified paramedics and will continue to recruit in this role with a healthy pipeline. The emergency care assistants and technicians will support paramedics in attending emergency calls, including driving the ambulance and assisting with medical intervention, having been trained in basic life support.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 5 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Transfer advanced technicians into frontline operational roles to relieve lead-clinician pressures.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “At the same time, the Trust has been transferring advanced technicians to frontline operational roles in order to reduce frontline pressures for lead clinicians. 20 members of staff have so far agreed to this. Advanced technicians, like paramedics, are trained to deal with life threatening illnesses and injuries. They are therefore very experienced members of staff. However, paramedics are also trained to undertake invasive procedures which may need to be performed during the most serious medical emergencies, including intubation (where a tube is inserted into the windpipe to help a patient breathe) and cannulation (where a thin tube is inserted into a vein in order to introduce fluid and drugs as quickly as possible).”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 5 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Operate a paramedic bank for recent leavers to provide additional qualified cover for vacant shifts.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust has also implemented a paramedic bank for recent leavers, whereby qualified paramedics who leave the Trust's employment, are asked whether they are interested in joining the Trust's paramedic bank. This is designed to increase the number of qualified paramedics available to fill vacant shifts. The Trust proceeded to complete recruitment checks on these individuals and will provide updated training for ex-members of staff who join the paramedic bank. It was initially anticipated that these individuals would be available to undertake frontline clinical duties from around May 2015. Given the recruitment pressures which the Trust has faced, this was pushed back slightly, however the paramedic bank has been in place since around October/November 2015, therefore allowing cover for the winter pressure period.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 5 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Provide updated training for former staff joining the paramedic bank.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust has also implemented a paramedic bank for recent leavers, whereby qualified paramedics who leave the Trust's employment, are asked whether they are interested in joining the Trust's paramedic bank. This is designed to increase the number of qualified paramedics available to fill vacant shifts. The Trust proceeded to complete recruitment checks on these individuals and will provide updated training for ex-members of staff who join the paramedic bank. It was initially anticipated that these individuals would be available to undertake frontline clinical duties from around May 2015. Given the recruitment pressures which the Trust has faced, this was pushed back slightly, however the paramedic bank has been in place since around October/November 2015, therefore allowing cover for the winter pressure period.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 5 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Recruit internationally qualified paramedics, including processing recruits from Poland for frontline roles.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Moreover, the Trust had also placed an advert for qualified paramedics in the periodical "Ambulance Life" which has an international reach and has been pursuing other international recruitment campaigns. This has resulted in the recruitment of 19 paramedics from Poland, with 4 individuals ready to commence front-line clinical roles and the remaining 15 currently being processed.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 5 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Increase the in-house graduate paramedic training programme from 24 to 48 places with two annual intakes.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “As noted above, one major issue faced by Ambulance Trusts nationally with respect to recruitment is the fact that all would-be paramedics have to undertake a 2 year training course at University, which effectively means that the Trust has to recruit 2 years in advance of employment commencement. As such, and in order to attempt to tackle the resource shortfall, the Trust has increased the number of places on its 2 year in-house graduate training programme from the usual 24 places to 48 places, with a two-stage intake in February and April. This results in the Trust having a year-end forecast number of student paramedics of approximately 100. The Trust have also visited universities in an attempt to recruit paramedics who are pursuing their studies but are not yet licensed to a particular ambulance service upon qualification.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 5 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Arrange for Sunderland University to train paramedics on demand rather than only according to the academic year.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “An arrangement has also been negotiated with Sunderland University whereby they will train paramedics as and when requested by the Trust and not just in line with the academic year in order to help match our demand.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 5 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Deploy Emergency Care Clinical Managers to spend half their time on frontline work and cover operational shifts.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust has also recruited a total of 56 Emergency Care Clinical Managers (ECCMs) who have been recruited from the current team leader pool. ECCMs manage the Trust's ambulance stations and ordinarily spend 90% of their time undertaking management/supervisory/governance work, with the remaining 10% on the front line. However, in order to help ease frontline pressures in the current climate, the ECCMs will spend 50% of their time working on the front line and will be able to cover a number of shifts.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 6 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Integrate Patient Transport Service staff into the workforce system and allocate work matching their skills.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In addition, the Trust has been looking to increase the number of PTS (Patient Transport Service) staff. A PTS member of staff transports patients to and from planned appointments at a range of healthcare providers. Our PTS staff are now fully integrated into the Trust's workforce system and are allocated jobs appropriate to their skill base. This should help free up the Trust's more experienced and qualified paramedics to deal with the most urgent emergency calls.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 6 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Develop an arrangement for volunteers to respond to Red 1 calls during meal breaks.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The question as to whether staff should be available to respond to calls during their statutory meal break has been debated extensively by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and with the Secretary of State for Health. We have held detailed discussions with other ambulance services about this issue also. The Trust have now proposed to the paramedic Unions that crews should be asked whether they will agree to cease their meal break in order to attend life threatening Red 1 (8 minute emergency response) calls. This proposal was initially rejected by the Unions. However, we have continued to seek the Unions' engagement on this issue and both Unison and GMB have since both agreed in principle for their members to be asked to volunteer to respond to R1 calls while they are on their break.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 6 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Change the Patient Transport Service meal-break policy to permit breaks away from base stations and improve resource availability.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In addition, there was to be a change to the meal break policy across the Trust PTS team in order to enable staff to be able to take their meal breaks at locations away from their base stations and at other sites. Pursuant to the previous meal break policy, staff returned to their own base stations in order to have their compulsory meal break and were effectively unable to respond to any incoming calls during this period. The aim was therefore to reduce travelling time going to/from base stations and to improve resource allocation and utilisation of staff time by reducing travelling. Such changes were also intended to reduce vehicle usage, with less fuel and vehicle maintenance being required, therefore allowing the Trust to keep more vehicles on the road to attend emergency calls.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 6 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implement an overtime policy increasing paramedic availability across shifts.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “On a separate note, the Trust has been planning for some time to implement a new overtime policy which would see an increased number of paramedic resources being available across all shifts. This has taken a while to implement as a consequence of extensive negotiations with the Unions however the Trust anticipate such a policy being introduced very shortly.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 6 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Increase recruitment, human-resources and training staffing capacity to fill frontline vacancies more quickly.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In addition to those measures set out above, in the long term, the Trust has been looking to increase its own recruitment capacity, by employing more staff in recruitment, human resources and training roles. This will enable new staff to be recruited and trained in a timely manner in order to fill frontline vacancies. This remains the case.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 6 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Operate the interim Operational Recovery Action Plan using short-term measures and third-party providers to increase daily operational resources.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust have also implemented an interim Operational Recovery Action Plan, which focuses on short term solutions to deal with operational resource availability and is expected to increase the Trust's resources on a day to day basis by utilising third party providers to fill current vacancies. A number of initiatives have also been implemented to improve response times to low priority calls (i.e. calls which are not categorised as a red '8 minute' emergency response).”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 7 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Use framework third-party crews, vehicles and equipment to cover vacant shifts and resource shortfalls.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Third party agencies on the Trust's local framework continue to be utilised on a daily basis in order to provide support and to assist with responding to G2 (30 minute) and low priority emergency and GP urgent calls, which are within their capability. Third party providers on the framework are trained to an equivalent level as a Trust Ambulance Technician or a Trust PTS Assistant. The Trust is still currently seeking qualified paramedics from third party providers as a further short term solution to increasing higher skilled operational roles whilst recruitment continues pursuant to the above mentioned Workforce Plan. Using the Trust's local third party framework, an agreement has been reached where our third party partners can be drawn upon to cover short falls in emergency and urgent care resources, where necessary.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 7 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implement winter care projects and engage alternative care pathways to manage suitable patients outside hospital.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Furthermore, the Trust has been working closely with the local Clinical Commissioning Groups to sustain and improve the provision of patient care over the winter periods through specific winter projects. A winter care plan was in place to help alleviate the additional seasonal pressures. The Trust has also undertaken a review of its agency and partnership arrangements in order to determine if current arrangements can be improved. These measures are aimed at maximising patient care within the home environment, where appropriate, in order to avoid unnecessary Accident and Emergency Department attendances. This is designed to increase Trust emergency ambulance resource availability. The Trust also continues to engage with other providers/pathways in order to manage patients outside of hospital, where appropriate.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 7 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Review agency and partnership arrangements to identify improvements.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Furthermore, the Trust has been working closely with the local Clinical Commissioning Groups to sustain and improve the provision of patient care over the winter periods through specific winter projects. A winter care plan was in place to help alleviate the additional seasonal pressures. The Trust has also undertaken a review of its agency and partnership arrangements in order to determine if current arrangements can be improved. These measures are aimed at maximising patient care within the home environment, where appropriate, in order to avoid unnecessary Accident and Emergency Department attendances. This is designed to increase Trust emergency ambulance resource availability. The Trust also continues to engage with other providers/pathways in order to manage patients outside of hospital, where appropriate.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 7 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Deploy Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers and Emergency Care Clinical Managers to improve hospital handover and ambulance turnaround.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust once again deployed Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers (HALOs) across the region during the winter period, in order to assist both hospitals and ambulance crews during times of pressure. The HALOs ceased their role in March 2016. This responsibility has now been taken up by the ECCMs who undertake this role throughout the rest of the year.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 8 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Use Ambulance Resource Assistants to restock equipment and position vehicles so crews return to incidents sooner.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Similarly, the Trust has sought to make use of dedicated Ambulance Resource Assistants (ARAs) over the recent winter periods, who play a key role in supporting the utilisation of our front line emergency and PTS crews by ensuring equipment and consumables are restocked at hospitals and operational stations, thereby reducing the need for crews to travel back to core sites to restock, losing valuable operational time which could be spent responding to incidents. The ARAs also ensure that vehicles are transported to the appropriate locations for the commencement of shifts, thereby maximising the utilisation time amongst crews responding to incidents.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 8 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Continue using Advanced Paramedic Practitioners to assess and treat suitable patients at home, reducing unnecessary emergency transfers.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Finally, the Trust are also continuing to utilise Advanced Paramedic Practitioners (APPs). These clinicians have proven advanced patient assessment skills of the same level as Emergency Care Practitioners and are able to assess, treat and in most cases, ensure that the patient is safely treated at home, where appropriate. As a result, suitable patients are assessed and treated by APPs in their own home if this is more appropriate than a transfer to hospital. This forms part of the Trust's focus on improving patient care and experience, as well as to reduce the demand on front line emergency crews by recognising the importance of ensuring that only those patients who are in need of a hospital admission in an emergency situation receive an emergency ambulance disposition.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 8 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Continue workforce recruitment strategies beyond ordinary workforce planning to increase emergency-care resources.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In light of the above issues, all ambulance services across the country, including the Trust, are pursuing various workforce recruitment strategies in an attempt to increase their emergency care resource base. Over the last 12 months, the Trust has improved its paramedic resource base and attrition rates have improved, whereby there are now more paramedics commencing roles at the Trust than the number of staff leaving employment. At this stage, the Trust has a skill vacancy of around 20% which has reduced from 25%. The Trust's attrition rate has therefore improved in comparison to other ambulance services across the country. However, there still remains a shortfall of people entering the paramedic profession nationally. As such, the Trust will continue with its workforce recruitment strategies which go beyond ordinary workforce planning.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 9 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Control over calls and demand is limited, although demand-reduction initiatives are undertaken.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust is limited in ways in which it can control the calls made to it and the demand on its services. However, the Trust has undertaken initiatives to seek to educate both the public in relation to the appropriateness of making calls and to work with colleagues in other sectors to try to reduce the demand on Trust services.”

    Source location

    2016-0116-Response-by-North-East-Ambulance-Service
    Page 1 · response
    Published 23 March 2016

    Open published response

  5. Manchester South

    AI-generated summary

    Elizabeth Muriel Leah · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Elizabeth Muriel Leah, an 87-year-old care home resident with severe dementia, fell on 2 July 2014 and broke her femur. Although an ambulance was called, staff were advised to take her to hospital by taxi because of an anticipated ambulance delay. The principal concerns were insufficient ambulance and staffing capacity, delays transferring patients into emergency departments, and hospital bed-blocking.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient ambulance and staff capacity for timely ambulance response

    Wider context from the report

    “On the occasion when she fell, an ambulance was called using the 999 system. On describing the circumstances, the Care Staff were told that they would get a call back from NHS within 60 minutes. They were also informed that there would be a delay of up to 6 hours for the ambulance to arrive. 50 minutes later the ambulance service called back and advised that she should be taken to hospital in a Taxi. This meant that an 87 year old lady with severe dementia and a broken leg, was delivered to the hospital Emergency Department in a wheelchair in a Taxi. When I questioned the Ambulance service Manager about this, she was very candid and accepted that the problem is that they do not have sufficient ambulances or staff available and that they are working “at 100%” all the time. This problem is exacerbated by the delays in getting patients into the A and E Departments, which in turn is exacerbated by the bed blocking throughout the hospital systems. These are not problems which can be alleviated locally, but require an urgent input and direction from Central Government. ”

    Source location

    Elizabeth Muriel Leah · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Local commissioners are responsible for ensuring ambulance services receive sufficient funding for local population needs.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “I should stress that although NHS England maintains oversight of the day-to-day operation of the commissioning side of the NHS in England, it is for local commissioners to ensure that ambulance services receive sufficient funding according to the needs of their local populations. Individual Trusts must ensure a high quality service which includes determining the type of clinician, vehicle and equipment required to respond to calls based on the clinical needs of the patient.”

    Source location

    2015-0064-Response-by-Department-of-Health
    Page 1 · response
    Published 19 February 2015

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Individual ambulance Trusts are responsible for determining clinicians, vehicles and equipment needed to respond according to patients’ clinical needs.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “I should stress that although NHS England maintains oversight of the day-to-day operation of the commissioning side of the NHS in England, it is for local commissioners to ensure that ambulance services receive sufficient funding according to the needs of their local populations. Individual Trusts must ensure a high quality service which includes determining the type of clinician, vehicle and equipment required to respond to calls based on the clinical needs of the patient.”

    Source location

    2015-0064-Response-by-Department-of-Health
    Page 1 · response
    Published 19 February 2015

    Open published response

  6. South Yorkshire (Western)

    AI-generated summary

    Anthony Offord · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Anthony Offord collapsed at a friend's flat on 16 April 2013 and died two days later from hypoxic brain injury following a delay in providing support to a lone responder. The report raised concerns about the lack of consideration of alternative support, the absence of a requirement to involve a manager when a stand-off caused delay, and insufficient training for emergency medical dispatch staff to recognise signs of respiratory difficulty such as snoring in an unresponsive person.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Unavailability of a double-crewed ambulance during meal break windows

    Wider context from the report

    “(5) With some diffidence, the point should also be raised that apart from the other lone responders who were available, as referred to in ‘Circumstances of the Death’ above, there was another double crewed ambulance nearby which could very likely have reached the scene as early as 2310 -- a point at which Mr Offord might have been saved. Unfortunately at 2302 this vehicle had become 'unavailable out of meal break window'. I recognise that this is a difficult subject, with valid arguments on both sides. I appreciate that it is a national issue, much debated in the past, and I do no more here than record the position as regards that vehicle. ”

    Source location

    Anthony Offord · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Continue reviewing the meal-break policy to ensure it supports staff and patient safety and service quality.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust is continuing to review the meal break policy to ensure it meets the needs of both staff and patients in order to provide a safe, effective and quality service.”

    Source location

    2014-0396-Response-by-Yorkshire-Ambulance-Service-NHs-Trust
    Page 4 · response
    Published 8 September 2014

    Open published response

  7. North London

    AI-generated summary

    Liam Martin Coleman · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Liam Martin Coleman collapsed at home in the early hours of 3 October 2012 and died after London Ambulance Service crews provided advanced life support. The principal concern was that insufficient ambulances were available to cover Red 1 and Red 2 calls during that period; the report states that the delay did not more than minimally or trivially contribute to his death.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient ambulance availability for Red 1 and Red 2 calls

    Wider context from the report

    “That there were insufficient ambulances available to cover the number of Red 1 and Red 2 calls in the early hours of the morning of the 3rd October 2012. ”

    Source location

    Liam Martin Coleman · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

  8. Bedfordshire and Luton

    AI-generated summary

    Albert James HAND · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Albert James Hand suffered a fall at the Arndale Shopping Centre in Luton on 1 November 2013 and experienced a delay of almost one and a half hours before arriving at hospital, during which his Glasgow Coma Scale fell from 11 to 7. The concerns identified were delays in conveying patients with head injuries, insufficient ambulance crews in the Luton and Bedfordshire area, and emergency-call protocols that may put patients at risk and result in future deaths.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient ambulance crew capacity to meet emergency needs

    Wider context from the report

    “(2) That there are insufficient ambulance crews in the Luton and Bedfordshire area to meet the emergency needs of the community. ”

    Source location

    Albert James HAND · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Complete and share the Clinical Capacity Review identifying ambulance capacity shortfalls with Clinical Commissioning Groups.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust is absolutely committed to ensuring the Trust can consistently respond in a timely manner to all calls. The Trust commissioned a Clinical Capacity Review in 2013 which clearly showed that we did not have enough ambulances to enable the Trust to meet its call demand in certain areas. The findings of this review have been shared with the Clinical Commissioning Groups as additional funding is required.”

    Source location

    2014-0010-Response-by-East-of-England-Ambulance-Service-NHS-Trust
    Page 3 · response
    Published 9 January 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Recruit 400 student paramedics during 2014/15 to increase frontline staffing capacity.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Chief Executive Officer, Dr Anthony Marsh, joined the Trust on 1 January 2014. Dr Marsh has six key priorities for the organisation which include recruiting 400 more staff and providing more ambulances across the whole service. It is recognised that the Trust has had historic staffing problems due to a national shortage of paramedics to recruit to the vacancies, but the Trust has in place a significant recruitment drive which will enable more ambulances to be on the road over the next two years. As such, it is envisaged that patients will receive a timelier and more appropriate response to their 999 calls.”

    Source location

    2014-0010-Response-by-East-of-England-Ambulance-Service-NHS-Trust
    Page 3 · response
    Published 9 January 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Upskill emergency care assistants through staff development into technician, EMT and paramedic roles.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “To address the issue of response availability in general, the Trust is taking internal action against the six key priorities set. These are:”

    Source location

    2014-0010-Response-by-East-of-England-Ambulance-Service-NHS-Trust
    Page 3 · response
    Published 9 January 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Maximise clinical staffing on frontline vehicles.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “To address the issue of response availability in general, the Trust is taking internal action against the six key priorities set. These are:”

    Source location

    2014-0010-Response-by-East-of-England-Ambulance-Service-NHS-Trust
    Page 3 · response
    Published 9 January 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Reduce response cars and increase ambulance availability.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “To address the issue of response availability in general, the Trust is taking internal action against the six key priorities set. These are:”

    Source location

    2014-0010-Response-by-East-of-England-Ambulance-Service-NHS-Trust
    Page 3 · response
    Published 9 January 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Luton and Bedfordshire generally meet or exceed commissioned emergency-response targets, although vacancies and wider capacity constraints remain.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Notwithstanding the priorities set out by Dr Marsh designed to increase resource availability across the whole area covered by the Trust, Luton and Bedfordshire consistently achieve their commissioned target and regularly exceed it across all Clinical Commissioning Groups within the county. The Trust is commissioned regionally to reach 75% of all its life-threatening emergencies within eight minutes. This is in line with the national targets set by the Department of Health. Clearly, due to the events described previously, the Trust was not able to meet this target on this particular occasion.”

    Source location

    2014-0010-Response-by-East-of-England-Ambulance-Service-NHS-Trust
    Page 3 · response
    Published 9 January 2014

    Open published response
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Data last updated 7 September 2026