First reported 16 Sep 2015•Latest report 23 Mar 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of the dedicated emergency alarm response system, including delayed or absent alarm activation and delayed or absent staff response to an activated emergency alarm.
Not included
Excludes general delays in emergency care that are not specifically connected to an emergency alarm.
Excludes failures of other communication, escalation or alerting processes unless they concern the dedicated emergency alarm response system.
Excludes the particular reason for delay, such as assuming an alarm is behavioural or false, when the broader alarm-response failure is the supported concern.
Reports
22
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
24
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2015–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
30
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.
HM Prison and Probation Service3
Department of Health and Social Care2
Office of Rail and Road2
Aspray House1
British Heart Foundation1
Broadland View Care Home1
Brunswick Gardens Village1
Care Quality Commission1
Carillion (AMBS) Limited1
Coed Duon1
CSS Telecare Service1
Cygnet Behavioural Health Limited1
Docklands Light Railway Limited1
DW Fitness First1
East London NHS Foundation Trust1
NHS trust6
Prison or young offender institution5
Executive agency3
Ministerial department3
Private limited company3
Residential care home3
Company2
Transport regulator2
Community interest company1
English district council1
Health and social care service regulator1
Healthcare site1
Local authority service1
Maritime sector body1
Professional membership body1
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.
Lincolnshire
Concerns raised1
Confusion and uncertainty over emergency alarm activation
This report raised 17 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.
Inner North London
Concerns raised2
Dependence on multiple manual actions to activate the emergency brake
Dependence on members of the public to notice hazards and activate alarms
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Challenge DLR on the reasonable practicability of providing additional emergency stop facilities throughout the vehicles.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 June 2020.
Action
Discuss with DLR the reasonable practicability of technological solutions to detect people on the track and stop approaching vehicles.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 June 2020.
Action
Develop and roll out enhanced platform-alarm signage to improve passengers’ ability to locate alarms.
Stated by Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 June 2020.
Action
Research and collaborate on CCTV and train-based hazard-detection technologies, including assessing potential options for a DLR trial.
Stated by Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 June 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
Passenger-activated train stops could cause misuse, network disruption, overcrowding and unsafe self-detraining, creating greater risks than they solve.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
On-train and CCTV obstacle-detection technology is considered insufficiently mature for reliable operation on the DLR network.
Stated by Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD and Transport for LondonUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Existing risk controls were considered appropriate and reasonably practicable, so additional platform screen doors were not required.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Reliable commercial technologies for detecting people on tracks and stopping trains were not yet available off the shelf.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
DLR, KAD and TfL held responsibility and power to investigate and implement additional technological or operational safety solutions.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
London Inner (South)
Concerns raised1
Failure of the Pass-Com alarm to remain available after activation without guard reset
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.1
Action
Update Pass-Com emergency guidance so Drivers advise passengers to use another emergency alarm and Guards are reminded to reset the device.
Stated by First MTR South Western Trains LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 September 2019.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Failure to intervene when an internal emergency alarm indicates assistance is needed
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Two staff members responded to the emergency call and there was no sign that the resident was in distress.
Stated by Coed DuonDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Absence of a building-wide audible emergency alarm
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 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.
Inner North London
Concerns raised2
Failure of the alarm-response process to provide trained responders with the nature of the emergency
Failure of panic-button alarms to alert staff throughout the building
This report raised 12 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
Upskill designated first aiders to obtain pool responder qualifications.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness LimitedStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 11 October 2018.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness LimitedStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 11 October 2018.
Action
Amend emergency procedures and notification processes, and retrain receptionists on alarm recognition and immediate response.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 October 2018.
Action
Install an automated panic-button message audible throughout member areas and notifying staff to muster at reception.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness LimitedStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 11 October 2018.
Action
Pilot the revised emergency response system at the Maida Vale and Durham health clubs.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness LimitedStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 11 October 2018.
London (West)
Concerns raised1
Failure to immediately activate the Code Blue/Red system
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Publish notices, display signs, include emergency procedures in induction, and attach notices to First Night Centre cell doors.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 March 2018.
Action
Extend cell-door emergency-code notices to healthcare, segregation, and detox areas.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 March 2018.
Central Hampshire
Concerns raised1
Delays in responding to emergency cell bell activations
This report raised 12 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
Issue staff notices requiring prompt responses to emergency cell bells.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 December 2017.
Action
Check emergency cell bell response times daily to improve accountability.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 December 2017.
Action
Prepare a funding bid to upgrade the emergency cell bell system.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 December 2017.
Action
Issue a national staff learning bulletin on prompt emergency cell bell responses and tackling prisoner misuse.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 3 December 2017.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Failure to persist in offering and persuading service users to accept help after alarm activation
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 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.
Inner South London
Concerns raised1
Failure to raise the emergency alarm
This report raised 9 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
Establish local emergency-response and alarm protocols covering escalation, responder responsibilities and radio use.
Stated by Cambian Adult ServicesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 24 March 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The former operator no longer controls future hospital safety steps, which fall to the successor operator.
Stated by Cambian Group plcRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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Includes failures of the dedicated emergency alarm response system, including delayed or absent alarm activation and delayed or absent staff response to an activated emergency alarm.
