Recurring concern
Unreliable emergency access to hospital care
- Reports that mention this concern
- 50
- Times this concern has been raised
- 60
- Stated actions linked to this concern
- 99
What this concern includes
Includes failures of controls dedicated to emergency hospital access, including recognition of need, escalation, approval for release or transfer, ambulance activation and coordination where these affect timely access to hospital care.
What is not included
- Excludes generic training, staffing, communication or protocol deficiencies not explicitly tied to emergency access to hospital care.
- Excludes routine or non-emergency referrals and transfers.
- Excludes unrelated emergency procedures or transport arrangements that do not concern access to hospital care.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, 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.
Reports and published responses 50 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
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Concerns raised2
Conveyance policy restricting timely transport of medical emergencies
Conveyance policy restricting timely transport of medical emergencies
This report raised 15 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
-
Concerns raised2
Delays in calling an ambulance pending contact with the duty manager
Delays in calling an ambulance pending repeat observations regardless of initial results
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
-
Concerns raised1
Lack of an option for paramedics to return deteriorating patients to hospital
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
Instruct the provider to produce an action plan addressing the identified patient transport safety measures.
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NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
Review the provider’s action plan at the April 2018 contract and quality meeting, request measurable outcomes, and monitor progress until actions are concluded.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
Hospital transfers requiring escalation are handled by the 999 ambulance service, not patient transport staff.
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Concerns raised1
Failure of the system for recalling discharged urology patients by ambulance
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
There was no transfer delay caused by ambulance-service communication; extrication difficulties and clinical deterioration caused the on-scene delay.
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Concerns raised1
Inadequate transfer policy and escalation indicators for tertiary assistance
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to recognise the seriousness of situations requiring urgent hospital transfer
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Beech Cliffe Limited
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
-
Beech Cliffe Limited
Use the Anticipatory HealthCare Calendar to assess health symptoms, direct staff responses, record significant communications, train staff, and audit use weekly.
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Concerns raised1
Delay in summoning an ambulance for cases to be stepped up to hospital
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
-
Concerns raised1
Delays in transferring patients requiring emergency specialist stroke care
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Barts Health NHS Trust
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Barts Health NHS Trust
Review the hospital policy for stroke management.
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Barts Health NHS Trust
Review the Hyperacute Stroke Unit checklist of advice.
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Concerns raised1
Delays in arranging emergency hospital assessment and transport after suspected significant injury
Linked response
- Borough Care Ltd
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Borough Care Ltd
Update risk management plans for residents prescribed anticoagulants to require calling 999 immediately after a fall, accident or injury.
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Concerns raised1
Reliance on emergency paramedic attendance to provide hospital care before transfer
This report raised 22 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Circle Health Group Limited
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
Circle Health Group Limited
Review and update the Elective and Non-Elective Transfer Policy, agreeing emergency transfer processes with Royal Surrey County Hospital and making them available to relevant staff.
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Circle Health Group Limited
Establish a local SOP requiring critically ill patients to move automatically to the theatre recovery area for comprehensive monitoring and anaesthetic support.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
Circle Health Group Limited
The hospital had an emergency transfer policy and facilities to stabilise critically ill patients before transfer.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Data last updated 7 September 2026