Overview

• A Unison survey of nearly 600 ambulance workers found that prolonged handover delays are causing patient harm, including preventable deaths, with some crews waiting over 12 hours to admit patients to A&E.
• Over 75% of ambulance workers reported providing care in the back of ambulances due to overcrowded emergency departments, while 68% have cared for patients in hospital corridors.
• Delays have resulted in more than 414,000 patients experiencing harm in the last year, with over 44,000 suffering severe or long-term harm, according to recent findings.
• The NHS has introduced a 45-minute handover target, but systemic pressures, including staffing shortages and insufficient community care capacity, continue to undermine progress.
• Unison and healthcare professionals are calling for urgent reforms, including increased staffing, improved patient flow, and expanded social care, to alleviate the crisis and ensure timely care.