Recommendation MAI-73: NWAS predetermined attendance for specialist teams
From Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response, published 3 November 2022.
Recommendation
North West Ambulance Service should review its Major Incident Response Plan to consider whether, in order to speed up mobilisation, it should provide pre-determined attendances for the Hazardous Area Response Team, Ambulance Intervention Team and Special Operations Response Team crews for Major Incidents.
In brief (written by this site)
The Inquiry asked North West Ambulance Service to consider predetermined attendances for specialist teams. In a February 2026 update published by the Cabinet Office, it stated that predetermined attendance includes Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) and specialist resources such as Special Operations Response Teams, and that the trust's Incident Response Plan had been updated with action cards, though the Ambulance Intervention Team is not mentioned (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). In November 2025, the UK Government accepted the recommendation in full (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 5 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
Accepted in full
Delivery
Cabinet Office says completed (27 February 2026)
Part of the Predetermined Attendance (PDA) includes the Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) and Specialist resources, (e.g. Specialist Operations Response Teams, Medical Emergency Response Incident Teams etc). The North West Ambulance Service Incident Response Plan has been updated with action cards. These provide clear and concise actions to be taken and considered once an incident is declared.
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Cabinet Office (14 November 2025)
Part of the Predetermined Attendance (PDA) includes the Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) and Specialist resources, (e.g. Specialist Operations Response Teams, Medical Emergency Response Incident Teams etc). The North West Ambulance Service Incident Response Plan has been updated with action cards. These provide clear and concise actions to be taken and considered once an incident is declared.
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
Published evidence
Published findings referenced by inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether the finding is independent or government self-reported. Each finding is this site's summary of what the source found, with a link to the source; this site does not add its own progress rating.
Summary by this site of the published finding
JESIP Joint Doctrine updated to v3.1 (April 2024) following inquiry findings on interoperability failures. Operation Plato reformed to cover all terrorist attack types, not just firearms. Emphasis extended beyond command-level to frontline responders.
Source
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Cabinet Office
Delivery statement