Recurring concern
Unreliable emergency access to hospital care
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Request correctionFirst reported 25 Feb 2014•Latest report 5 Jun 2026
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.
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.
- Reports
- 50
- Individual concerns
- 60
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 99
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
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.
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.
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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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
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
Instruct the provider to produce an action plan addressing the identified patient transport safety measures.
Stated by NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board -
Action
Review the provider’s action plan at the April 2018 contract and quality meeting, request measurable outcomes, and monitor progress until actions are concluded.
Stated by NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
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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Position
Hospital transfers requiring escalation are handled by the 999 ambulance service, not patient transport staff.
Stated by NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
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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Position
There was no transfer delay caused by ambulance-service communication; extrication difficulties and clinical deterioration caused the on-scene delay.
Stated by East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
Use the Anticipatory HealthCare Calendar to assess health symptoms, direct staff responses, record significant communications, train staff, and audit use weekly.
Stated by Beech Cliffe Limited
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Concerns raised1
Delay in summoning an ambulance for cases to be stepped up to hospital
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
Review the hospital policy for stroke management.
Stated by Barts Health NHS Trust -
Action
Review the Hyperacute Stroke Unit checklist of advice.
Stated by Barts Health NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Delays in arranging emergency hospital assessment and transport after suspected significant injury
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
Update risk management plans for residents prescribed anticoagulants to require calling 999 immediately after a fall, accident or injury.
Stated by Borough Care Ltd
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
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.
Stated by Circle Health Group Limited -
Action
Establish a local SOP requiring critically ill patients to move automatically to the theatre recovery area for comprehensive monitoring and anaesthetic support.
Stated by Circle Health Group Limited
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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Position
The hospital had an emergency transfer policy and facilities to stabilise critically ill patients before transfer.
Stated by Circle Health Group Limited
Data last updated 7 September 2026