8 Dec 2023 Claire Nicole Briggs · Prevention of Future Deaths report Manchester South
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Concerns raised 2 Lack of consistent and reliable understanding of respective emergency service roles for suspected drug overdoses View source Lack of a consistent and reliable method for police escalation of suspected drug overdose concerns to the ambulance service View source
Actions described in response An action is something this recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised. 2
Action
Provide frontline personnel with access to NWAS remote clinical support through SOPs and fallback telephones.
View source
Action
Continue adopting JESIP principles and operational guidance to promote collaborative working between blue-light partners.
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AI-generated summary
Claire Nicole Briggs · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Claire Nicole Briggs died at Stepping Hill Hospital on 28 November 2022 after a propranolol overdose. The report identified delays in ambulance response and failures to conduct timely clinical reviews, alongside the absence of a consistent and reliable process for police officers to escalate concerns about suspected drug overdoses to the ambulance service.
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× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of consistent and reliable understanding of respective emergency service roles for suspected drug overdoses
Wider context from the report “The evidence I heard was that a Joint Operating Protocol between the North West Ambulance Service and the five regional police forces designed to address the issues of which emergency service should take responsibility for incidents involving drug overdoses and the method by which the police officers attending such incidents prior to the arrival of the ambulance service can escalate their concerns over a person suspected to have taken a drug overdose, was in an advanced stage of completion, but was stalled in July 2022.
Whilst I heard that discussions have recently recommenced, they now encompass the Right Care, Right Person model, the findings of the Manchester Arena Bombing Enquiry and that additionally, the Fire and Rescue Service and the British Transport Police have now become involved.
Pending agreement of a Joint Operating Protocol, there does not appear to be any consistent and reliable understanding in place across the police forces and the North West Ambulance Service to provide clarity as to the roles of the respective services and the method by which concerns about individual patients can be escalated to the ambulance service by police officers dealing with those who are suspected to have taken drug overdoses.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of a consistent and reliable method for police escalation of suspected drug overdose concerns to the ambulance service
Wider context from the report “The evidence I heard was that a Joint Operating Protocol between the North West Ambulance Service and the five regional police forces designed to address the issues of which emergency service should take responsibility for incidents involving drug overdoses and the method by which the police officers attending such incidents prior to the arrival of the ambulance service can escalate their concerns over a person suspected to have taken a drug overdose, was in an advanced stage of completion, but was stalled in July 2022.
Whilst I heard that discussions have recently recommenced, they now encompass the Right Care, Right Person model, the findings of the Manchester Arena Bombing Enquiry and that additionally, the Fire and Rescue Service and the British Transport Police have now become involved.
Pending agreement of a Joint Operating Protocol, there does not appear to be any consistent and reliable understanding in place across the police forces and the North West Ambulance Service to provide clarity as to the roles of the respective services and the method by which concerns about individual patients can be escalated to the ambulance service by police officers dealing with those who are suspected to have taken drug overdoses .
” Open source report
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Provide frontline personnel with access to NWAS remote clinical support through SOPs and fallback telephones.
Verbatim wording from the response “Within numerous SOP’s (Communications, Gaining Entry, Immediate Emergency Care), guidance is provided for personnel to access remote clinical support. If there is a delay in NWAS response, or if the casualties condition appears to be deteriorating, personnel are directed to utilise the clinical support lines provided by NWAS Clinical Support Hub or Trauma Cell. All frontline fire appliances and officers have access to these numbers via fallback telephones. Clinical advice and guidance will be provided over the phone with the potential for the NWAS response to be upgraded.” Source location Response from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Continue adopting JESIP principles and operational guidance to promote collaborative working between blue-light partners.
Verbatim wording from the response “LFRS were not involved in this tragic incident but we are committed to a culture of improvement and learning from lessons identified. LFRS actively supports and works to the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP) doctrine, promoting effective interagency working through its principles of Co-Location, Communication, Co-ordination, Joint Understanding of Risk and Shared Situational Awareness. LFRS regularly review policies, procedures and training in line with JESIP. LFRS has adopted the National Fire Chiefs (NFCC) National Operational Guidance, which is considered good practice; this guidance has been incorporated into LFRS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).” Source location Response from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Existing LFRS guidance and processes are considered sufficient to address the recommendations.
Verbatim wording from the response “In response to the recommendations made, LFRS believes that appropriate guidance and processes are available and in place, and I trust this response addresses the matters raised. LFRS will continue to adopt existing JESIP principles and operational guidance, promoting collaborative working between blue-light partners, whilst striving to develop guidance and process to ensure the most effective response is delivered.” Source location Response from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations