P2-34 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Recommendations apply to independent ambulances

Recommendation

The Inquiry has focused its investigations into ambulance services on NHS ambulance services. However, the Inquiry considers that these recommendations could also be applied to independent ambulance services, including private ambulances.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the government's formal response, the government accepted this recommendation in full and stated in December 2025 that it would work with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to extend the relevant recommendations to independent ambulance services, including private ambulances. According to available information, no specific CQC guidance or regulatory changes for independent ambulance services have been identified.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, questions-statements.parliament.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted
Accepted Department of Health and Social Care
01 Dec 2025

The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has made the Independent Ambulance Association (IAA) aware of the Inquiry recommendations. Where ambulance services have contractual agreements with independent ambulance services, those commissioned services must comply with relevant NHS policies and procedures. This requirement does not apply where independent ambulance providers operate outside of NHS contracts. For these providers, the IAA has committed to advocate for the implementation of recommendations among its members and the wider sector, noting the IAA does not hold regulatory authority.

Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Dec 2025

Accepted in full. AACE has made the Independent Ambulance Association (IAA) aware of the inquiry recommendations. Where ambulance services have contractual agreements with independent ambulance services, those commissioned services must comply with the relevant NHS policies and procedures. This requirement does not apply where independent ambulance providers operate outside of NHS contracts. For these providers, IAA has committed to advocate for the implementation of recommendations among its members and the wider sector, noting that IAA does not hold regulatory authority. (Source: Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, December 2025)

Source
Inquiry Fuller Inquiry
Report Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report 15 Jul 2025
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Department of Health and Social Care Primary
Themes & Tags
Patient dignity and privacy Care safeguarding systems Deceased Independent Ambulance Private
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Last formal update 01 Dec 2025