First reported 6 Mar 2015•Latest report 23 Mar 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes deficiencies in call bell or emergency cell bell systems and their dedicated controls where the failure could prevent a person from summoning assistance, obscure or misrepresent a call, or delay an appropriate response.
Not included
Excludes generic staffing, training, documentation, auditing or communication failures unless they are specifically tied to the operation or control of a call bell system.
Excludes ambulance, clinical observation and other emergency-response processes that do not concern a call bell system.
Excludes general environmental or care deficiencies unrelated to access to, operation of or response through a call bell system.
Reports
20
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
24
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2015–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
41
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 Service2
Abbey Healthcare1
Avery Healthcare Group1
Brunswick Gardens Village1
Carillion (AMBS) Limited1
Crown Care Group1
Department of Health and Social Care1
FirstPort Retirement Property Services Limited1
Harbour Healthcare Ltd.1
Hereford County Hospital1
Hillbrook Grange1
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust1
Ministry of Justice1
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital1
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
NHS trust5
Private limited company5
Healthcare site4
Prison or young offender institution4
Care-home operator2
Executive agency2
Ministerial department2
Multi-service care provider1
Residential care home1
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.
South London
Concerns raised1
Failure to monitor call bell response times
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
Progress replacement of the PRUH call-bell system to enable response-time reporting.
Stated by King'S College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Action
Audit call-bell response times, functionality and accessibility through monthly ward audits, monitor results, and share findings through governance and staff committees.
Stated by King'S College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
South Yorkshire (West)
Concerns raised1
Failure of call-bell check records to accurately record completed checks and failures
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.
Bedfordshire and Luton
Concerns raised1
Delays in analogue Careline connection
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
The existing analogue entry system is industry-accepted, fit for purpose, and residents do not wish to replace it with a digital system.
Stated by FirstPort Retirement Property Services LimitedExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Central Hampshire
Concerns raised3
Emergency cell bell system lacking call prioritisation and activation-time identification
Inadequate control of emergency cell bell misuse
Delays in responding to emergency cell bell activations
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.
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
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 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
Issue prisoners information about risks arising from misuse of 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
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.
Manchester South
Concerns raised2
Residents' lack of awareness that wireless call-bells can be moved around their rooms
Inability of residents reliant on mobility aids to move portable call-bells
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.1
Action
Provide residents with wearable mobile call bells to summon assistance after falls.
Stated by Hillbrook GrangeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 October 2017.
Inner West London
Concerns raised1
Failure to repair emergency call bells after notification of a fault
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 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.
Leicester City and South Leicestershire
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of call bell systems in patient bedrooms
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.4
Action
Complete a review of appropriate call-bell options for Mental Health areas.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 February 2016.
Action
Conduct an appraisal and feasibility study for appropriate individual-patient call-bell facilities.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 February 2016.
Action
Present preferred call-bell options to the Service Finance and Performance Committee for an investment decision.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 February 2016.
Action
Prioritise admission of patients with physical disabilities or illness to disabled or call-bell-equipped bedrooms.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 February 2016.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Traditional call-bell systems cannot be fitted throughout mental health bedroom areas because of the ligature risks they present.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Inadequate response to cell bells
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.
Norfolk
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure recording of medical cell bell calls
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.3
Action
Require staff to record overnight medical issues in wing observation books and amend the Local Security Strategy accordingly.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 June 2015.
Action
Publish a Governors Order clarifying the recording of medical issues occurring during the night.
Stated by Wayland PrisonStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 June 2015.
Action
Amend the Local Security Strategy to support recording medical issues occurring during the night.
Stated by Wayland PrisonStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 June 2015.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Electronic recording of cell calls will not be introduced because the system would be prohibitively expensive.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Manchester West
Concerns raised1
Failure of alarm signals to distinguish falls-sensor activation from handheld-buzzer requests for assistance
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 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.
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Includes deficiencies in call bell or emergency cell bell systems and their dedicated controls where the failure could prevent a person from summoning assistance, obscure or misrepresent a call, or delay an appropriate response.
