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.
West Sussex
Concerns raised1
Insufficient resources for handling high call volumes
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
Purchase approximately 100 new ambulances over three years to increase ambulance capacity.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 July 2018.
Action
Purchase second-hand ambulances to address anticipated winter demand pressures.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 July 2018.
Action
Carry out a Demand and Capacity Review with commissioners to determine required resources and how they will be provided.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 July 2018.
Action
Review the forecasting model to improve prediction of hourly resource requirements and system pressures.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 July 2018.
Derby and Derbyshire
Concerns raised1
Delays in emergency vehicle responses
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
Complete the jointly commissioned strategic demand and capacity review to determine staffing requirements against national performance standards.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 June 2018.
Action
Implement the outcome of the strategic demand and capacity review.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 16 June 2018.
Action
Recruit and train approximately 295 frontline operational staff and 48 Emergency Operations Centre staff for operational deployment during 2018/19 and early 2019/20.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 16 June 2018.
Action
Establish and operate an Urgent Care Transport Service with dedicated crews and dispatch arrangements for urgent and low-acuity patients.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 June 2018.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Insufficient funding and a substantial resource gap prevent delivery of nationally defined ambulance performance standards.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Sunderland
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ambulance resources causing delays to urgent responses
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.13
Action
Develop and approve an action plan with timescales for addressing the funding shortfall and delivering ambulance response standards.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Achieve a 25% frontline-staff abstraction target through a 33.3% relief rate and associated workforce efficiency.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Establish and operate an implementation group to develop, implement and oversee the detailed ORH implementation plan.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Improve crew shift start and finish times to increase crew availability.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Improve dispatch-team productivity by reducing the number of ambulances managed by each dispatcher.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Audit dispatch allocation times monthly and provide training or action plans where dispatchers need support.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Reduce C2 conveyance rates in Central and North divisions toward South division levels by 2021/22.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Work with Northumberland CCG to establish a multidisciplinary rapid response team for lower-acuity community cases.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Provide 50 additional E-Care course places to equip staff to leave suitable patients safely at home.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Reduce hospital handover times toward a 30-minute mean in each division by 2018/19.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Use a regional handover standard operating procedure and task-and-finish collaboration to improve accountability for ambulance handovers.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Base an operational manager permanently within two acute trusts to monitor, manage and escalate handover issues.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Action
Implement the REAP and Escalation Policy defining actions for Emergency Operations Centre and operational staff in response to demand.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 June 2018.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Implementing the new ambulance response standards requires £10.4 million recurrent investment; the £3.9 million shortfall prevents full delivery pending funding discussions.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Commissioners control withdrawal of £1.3 million from the emergency operations centre and will address resulting safety concerns after NHS111 procurement.
Stated by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of responders for the designated response timeframe
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Improve demand forecasting so available ambulance and crew hours more closely match service demand.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 February 2024.
Action
Work with commissioners on a jointly commissioned demand and capacity review to align resource requirements with service demand.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 February 2024.
West Sussex
Concerns raised1
Shortage of paramedic staff resulting in reduced ambulance availability
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Monitor workforce and business-planning data to determine required crew skill mix and staffing levels.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 27 February 2018.
Action
Develop a new strategy to address the paramedic and crew resourcing deficit through a scheduled resourcing-team and operations-management meeting.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 27 February 2018.
Action
Assess recruitment of IHCD-qualified paramedics as a new recruitment route.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 27 February 2018.
Action
Increase the Band 4 technician workforce to meet demand.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 27 February 2018.
Action
Recruit newly qualified paramedics through live advertising and a scheduled assessment day.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 27 February 2018.
Gloucestershire
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ambulance resources to meet demand in the Gloucestershire area
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Dorset
Concerns raised1
Failure to stagger ambulance crew shifts and meal breaks
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Make the National Directors of Operations Group aware of the concerns and remind it to review rostering arrangements regularly.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 15 February 2018.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
The Department does not issue specific guidance on ambulance rostering structures or meal-break arrangements.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The Association lacks authority to mandate ambulance trusts to change their operating practices.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Existing arrangements require trusts to stagger breaks where possible, review rosters regularly, and provide emergency interruption options.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Manchester City
Concerns raised1
Insufficient paramedic staffing to provide Advanced Life Support at Manchester Airport
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
Improve clinical capability and working conditions for ambulance paramedics through the ambulance improvement programme.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 2 October 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Provision of emergency ambulance services is assigned to the local NHS, including the North West Ambulance Service and its commissioners.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The North West Ambulance Service and its commissioners consider one airport paramedic adequate for current activity, with a second reviewed as expansion occurs.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Insufficient clinician capacity for timely secondary triage of 999 calls
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.
North Northumberland
Concerns raised2
Lack of assured paramedic crew availability during meal breaks after 10.00 p.m. in Berwick-upon-Tweed
Insufficient local ambulance crew availability when the single Berwick crew is deployed out of area after 10.00 p.m.
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
Review Alnwick and Berwick services with providers to align capacity and use healthcare professionals appropriately.
Stated by NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning GroupStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 August 2016.
Action
Agree exceptional redeployment of community paramedics to fill significant service gaps or respond to life-threatening emergencies.
Stated by NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning GroupStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 August 2016.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Operational ambulance resource deployment is NEAS’s responsibility; commissioners set quality parameters but do not dictate those operational decisions.
Stated by NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning GroupRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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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.
