Recommendation P2-34: Recommendations apply to independent ambulances
From Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report, published 15 July 2025.
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.
In brief (written by this site)
The Department of Health and Social Care recorded the recommendation as in progress in June 2026, noting that the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives had alerted the Independent Ambulance Association to the recommendations (Department of Health and Social Care, Jun 2026). It stated that independent ambulance services commissioned under NHS contracts must comply with relevant NHS policies and procedures (Department of Health and Social Care, Jun 2026). For providers operating outside NHS contracts where this requirement does not apply, the department explained that the association had committed to advocate for implementation across the wider sector, noting that it holds no regulatory authority (Department of Health and Social Care, Jun 2026).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
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.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the Department of Health and Social Care's interim update on government progress in responding to the phase 2 report, published on 16 December 2025. It sorts the 75 recommendations into those the government has accepted in full (11), accepted in principle (43) and is still considering (21), and gives words of its own only on the 11 accepted in full. Every word is the Department's, so the rows are filed under it, including where the passage reports what another body has done.
Site note: The recommendation is addressed to the Department itself.
Delivery
Department of Health and Social Care says in progress (16 June 2026)
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.
From: Fuller Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard
Site note: The source names this recommendation by number.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- Department of Health and Social Care
Response, delivery statement