Emergency services related deaths

Noted (AI summary) The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust acknowledges concerns about ambulance delays and inability to offload patients. They state they have robust plans in place and liaise with Health Boards but do not believe they are the authority with the power to take such actions.

Noted (AI summary) South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust acknowledges concerns about operating at Stage 4 of its Surge Management Plan and outlines factors contributing to increased demand and changes in patient profiles. It states they will continue to work with partners on local and national programmes and a full system-wide review is required. The Department of Health and Social Care highlights its 'Delivery plan for recovering urgent and emergency care services', investments in ambulance workforce, and funding to improve patient flow. They report improvements in ambulance response times nationally and in the SECAmb region, and improvements in patient handover times.

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges concerns about ambulance response times. The response references the 'Delivery plan for recovering urgent and emergency care services' and notes improvements in ambulance response times and handover delays but acknowledges more work is needed.

Noted (AI summary) West Midlands Ambulance Service acknowledges the concerns and explains that they use NHS Pathways for triage, as required by Department of Health guidelines. They also describe their clinical validation team's review of category 3 and 4 patients and regular clinical audits.

Noted (AI summary) The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch acknowledges the delayed EMS response and identifies contributing factors, including high call volume and Careline's limited information. They suggest that a serious hemorrhage code is equivalent to the initial CAT 3 assignment and that EMDs should stay on the line while providing Dispatch Life Support instructions. Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey County Council are reviewing the cross-agency SCARF process, including information sharing and confidentiality, through a project group. A meeting has already taken place to discuss this. Kingston upon Hull City Council is planning several measures: relocating taxi ranks, designing a signalized crossing, relocating a crossing facility, considering footpath widening, and implementing a 20mph zone. These are in various stages of feasibility, design, and consultation, with timelines specified.

Noted (AI summary) Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board acknowledges concerns regarding ambulance handover delays and outlines various improvement plans, including implementing frailty assessment on arrival, improving patient flow, and developing a 7-day discharge lounge. Joint reviews of patient safety incidents from handover delays are being rolled out across Wales. The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust references previously provided information regarding actions taken to address patient safety and reduce handover delays, including the Clinical Safety Plan and Reducing Patient Harm Action Plan. It offers to meet and discuss the response in more detail.

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges concerns about ambulance demand and delays in Greater Manchester, highlighting national efforts to improve ambulance response times, increase hospital bed capacity, and ensure timely hospital discharge.

Noted (AI summary) Cardiff and Vale University Health Board reviewed the patient's triage and management by the Out of Hours GP Service, sharing their initial findings. The board acknowledges that there was poor communication at the inquest hearing which may have led to some of the recommendations. The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust acknowledges the concerns raised regarding triage and response times and the impact of system pressures. The Trust says it will continue to press for real systemic change at every opportunity.

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care notes the concerns regarding ambulance response times and access to hospital services and says that ambulance performance is reviewed regularly. More broadly the Trust has governance in place to reduce delays outside the 36-hour timeframe to support compliance with NICE guidance

Noted (AI summary) West Midlands Police restructured the Public Protection Department in 2019, increasing staff allocated to DA investigation and replacing Domestic Abuse Teams with Adult Investigation and Adult Complex Investigation Teams; they have also established a scrutiny panel with the CPS to review decisions where no further action is taken. West Midlands Police restructured the Public Protection Department in 2019, increasing staff allocated to DA investigation and replacing Domestic Abuse Teams with Adult Investigation and Adult Complex Investigation Teams; they have also established a scrutiny panel with the CPS to review decisions where no further action is taken. The Home Office highlights the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan, committing to assist in funding the rollout of Domestic Abuse Matters training and funding the College of Policing to develop a new module aimed at investigators of domestic abuse; they also mention the Police Uplift Programme and additional funding for West Midlands Police. The College of Policing has created a 'DA Matters' training package for police responders focusing on coercive control, delivered by DA charities, and has rolled out the Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment tool (DARA) to every force in England and Wales. West Midlands Police is publishing a revised Domestic Abuse policy with an initial response action checklist and will launch it with a tailored communication and briefing package; they have also created an improvement plan to increase the number of Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders. The Police and Crime Commissioner acknowledges the coroner's report and highlights ongoing efforts by West Midlands Police to address domestic abuse, while also noting resource constraints and the impact of cuts to public services.