First reported 23 Sep 2013•Latest report 11 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in controls specifically dedicated to recognising, communicating, triaging or responding to acute behavioural disturbance, including control-room, frontline, prison, ambulance, mental-health and forensic-medical training; accurate ABD guidance and terminology; formal competence assurance; recognition of ABD as a medical emergency; appropriate restraint or containment safeguards; emergency escalation and clinical response.
Not included
Excludes generic mental-health, emergency-response or restraint training where acute behavioural disturbance is not a material part of the asserted concern.
Excludes failures involving positional asphyxia or restraint safety where ABD is not also identified as the relevant hazard.
Excludes generic ambulance call handling, police training, prison healthcare or clinical staffing deficiencies unless they directly impair recognition or response to ABD.
Excludes downstream treatment or monitoring failures after ABD has been reliably recognised and an appropriate emergency response has been initiated.
Excludes ABD incidence monitoring or data-capture deficiencies when the unsafe condition is solely surveillance of occurrence rather than recognition or response to an individual ABD presentation.
Reports
19
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
40
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
69
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.
College of Policing6
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives5
National Police Chiefs’ Council4
Department of Health and Social Care3
NHS England3
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust2
Metropolitan Police Service2
Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS)1
College of Paramedics1
Dorset Police1
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust1
Elmley Prison1
Essex Police1
Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine1
Gwent Police1
Police force9
National policing body7
NHS trust7
Health-sector membership body5
Ministerial department4
Executive non-departmental public body3
Health professional body3
Trade union and professional body2
Company1
Executive agency1
Health professional committee1
Prison operator1
Prison or young offender institution1
Registered charity1
Sub-organisation1
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.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Failure to embed RCEM acute behavioural disturbance guidance in adult emergency medicine
This report raised 8 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
Matters in points 3–11 are outside the respondent’s role, so it will not comment further on them.
Stated by Royal College of MidwivesOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Failure of prison nurses to recognise ABD and treat it as a medical emergency
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.2
Action
Develop and communicate a national framework defining healthcare roles and responsibilities for use-of-force incidents and ABD warning signs.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 February 2026.
Action
Ensure establishments include clear ABD red-flag criteria and emergency escalation pathways in healthcare training and operational briefings, with governance review of incidents.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 February 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Prison healthcare staff cannot reasonably be expected to diagnose ABD reliably; safety depends on recognising severe agitation, physiological red flags and emergency escalation.
Stated by NHS EnglandDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised2
Lack of prison officer training in acute behavioural disturbance (ABD)
Failure of prison officers to recognise ABD as a medical emergency
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
Consult clinical expertise to inform written guidance on recognising and escalating potential Acute Behavioural Disturbance emergencies.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 February 2026.
Action
Issue staff guidance explaining signs of Acute Behavioural Disturbance and appropriate escalation to healthcare professionals.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 February 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Diagnosis and response to Acute Behavioural Disturbance rest solely with healthcare professionals, while officers recognise indicators and escalate concerns.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised2
Lack of training for prison officers in relation to ABD
Failure of prison officers who restrain prisoners to recognise ABD and treat it as a medical emergency
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.
Essex
Concerns raised5
Inconsistent ambulance response categorisation for Acute Behavioural Disturbance with active restraint
Failure to clearly link Acute Behavioural Disturbance and active restraint to Category 1 ambulance triage
Lack of a national ambulance response standard for Acute Behavioural Disturbance with active restraint
Discrepancy in Acute Behavioural Disturbance recognition and alert training for Police Officers and Special Constables
Confusing terminology for Acute Behavioural Disturbance in ambulance triage training materials
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.3
Action
Implement a standalone procedure for suspected or confirmed Acute Behavioural Disturbance, removing “excited delirium” terminology and requiring Category 1 escalation with clinical review for possible downgrade.
Stated by East of England Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Update, approve and disseminate the detained-patient procedure and Emergency Operations Centre escalation guidance to reflect the Acute Behavioural Disturbance procedure.
Stated by East of England Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Standardise Acute Behavioural Disturbance training for regular officers and Special Constables across initial and refresher training.
Stated by Essex PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
National ambulance response categories are determined by NHS England’s ECPAG, not by AACE.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Greater Lincolnshire
Concerns raised3
Lack of an ABD protocol between police forces and the local ambulance service
Allocation of ABD referrals to only a category 2 response in the absence of police restraint
Lack of an NHS Pathways allocation pathway for ABD
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.8
Action
Work with EMAS and the Clinical Governance Forum to implement an ABD joint-working policy.
Stated by Lincolnshire PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 January 2026.
Action
Share learning from the coronial process with EMAS to support ABD guidance development and implementation.
Stated by Lincolnshire PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 January 2026.
Action
Work with EMAS and Forum partners to develop and align ABD practices and training, including response times and restraint practices.
Stated by Lincolnshire PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 January 2026.
Action
Continue participating in the Police Regional Clinical Governance Forum to align ABD training and response protocols.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 January 2026.
Action
Continue working with regional police forces and health partners to explore a single joint operational framework for ABD management.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 January 2026.
Action
Continue reviewing the ambulance response categorisation for ABD through NHS England and relevant ambulance-sector governance bodies.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 January 2026.
Action
Maintain the Emergency Call Handling Protocols process governing responses to suspected ABD incidents.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 January 2026.
Action
Continue monitoring ABD incidents to develop the NHS Pathways system and associated user training in response to emerging evidence.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 January 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
East Midlands Ambulance Service is responsible for responding directly to the concerns and revising relevant clinical presentation protocols with system partners.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
EMAS is responsible for leading the joint ABD policy because the medical response is a crucial element and EMAS is best placed to lead.
Stated by Lincolnshire PoliceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
ABD can receive Category 1 where life-threatening symptoms are present; otherwise Category 2 is a medical emergency with possible local upgrading.
Stated by NHS EnglandDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
A dedicated ABD allocation pathway is unnecessary because NHS Pathways assesses symptoms rather than allocating patients by diagnosis.
Stated by NHS EnglandDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Changing the nationally mandated NHS Pathways system to create an ABD pathway must be initiated by NHS England.
Stated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Lack of cross-sector working and joint agency policy for Acute Behavioural Disorder/Disturbance
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.4
Action
Review the mental health Approved Professional Practice to align ABD guidance with updated health policy.
Stated by College of PolicingStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 July 2025.
Action
Support forces to develop local protocols with partner agencies.
Stated by College of PolicingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 July 2025.
Action
Develop and finalise Trustwide clinical guidance for acute behavioural disorder with emergency-service pathways and wider-agency consultation.
Stated by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 July 2025.
Action
Continue discussions with Nottinghamshire Police and EMAS to establish collaborative acute behavioural disorder training, pathways and clinical guidance.
Stated by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 July 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
National health-related policy on ABD should be led by health partners, with policing informed by agreed health guidance.
Stated by College of PolicingRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Further research and an evidence base are required before national policy on ABD can be developed.
Stated by College of PolicingUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Operational and local partnership concerns are being addressed by Nottinghamshire Police, which is providing the full response.
Stated by College of PolicingRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Avon
Concerns raised2
Lack of mental health nursing staff awareness that ABD is a medical emergency
Failure to reliably identify acute behavioural disturbance in vulnerable patients
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
ABD is neither a formal diagnosis nor explicitly embedded in nurses’ professional proficiencies.
Stated by Royal College of NursingDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Gwent
Concerns raised1
Failure of officers to speak up about ABD concerns
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
Review national training for all police officers on Acute Behavioural Disturbance.
Stated by Gwent PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 February 2024.
Action
Introduce and publish a new Acute Behavioural Disturbance learning package through the College Learn system for officers and relevant police staff.
Stated by Gwent PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 February 2024.
Action
Incorporate the Acute Behavioural Disturbance package into mandatory Public and Personal Safety Training and First Aid Training.
Stated by Gwent PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 February 2024.
Action
Provide bespoke standalone Acute Behavioural Disturbance training to frontline officers who recently completed mandatory safety and first aid training.
Stated by Gwent PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 21 February 2024.
Cheshire
Concerns raised1
Rigid ABD training focused on specific symptoms and failing to support recognition of other signs
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
Publish the revised First Aid Learning Programme outcome requiring officers to recognise signs and symptoms of acute behavioural disturbance.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Action
Develop and update Public and Personal Safety Training to cover ABD presentation and causes, de-escalation, restraint risks, medical assistance, monitoring, and scenario-based decision-making.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 November 2023.