Northern Ireland Ambulance Handover Times in Critical Condition, Report Reveals Surge in Delays

Northern Ireland Ambulance Handover Times in Critical Condition, Report Reveals Surge in Delays

A report published today reveals a dramatic deterioration in ambulance handover times in Northern Ireland.

The number of handovers taking longer than three hours has surged from approximately 400 (less than one per cent) in 2019-20 to just over 11,000 (nine per cent) in 2023-24.

Impact on Patient Care

A new report by Northern Ireland’s Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia Carville found that these delays led to tens of thousands of instances of potential harm to patients. It comes as hospital emergency departments (EDs) across the region continue to be under pressure with high volumes of patients. In 2019-20, around 27 per cent of handovers were completed within this timeframe – a stark contrast to just seven per cent in 2023-24.

Operational Efficiency

Overall, performance throughout Northern Ireland is significantly worse than in England and Wales. The report outlines the impact of this decline in ambulance handovers on both operational efficiency and patient outcomes. This includes potentially over 36,000 instances in 2023-24 when patients may have experienced some harm due to ambulance handover delays, and around 3,800 occasions when patients were potentially subject to severe harm.

Financial Implications

The report estimates a loss of £50 million in operational capacity for the NIAS between 2019-20 and 2023-24, with a quarter of operational capacity expected to be lost in 2023-24 due to delays. It also highlights a decline in NIAS performance in responding to 999 calls as ambulances are increasingly held up outside Emergency Departments.

Recommendations and Concerns

The report raises concerns about performance in relation to emergencies and potentially serious incidents. Furthermore, it reveals an increased reliance on the unregulated private sector to fill service provision gaps. Dorinnia Carville, Northern Ireland's Comptroller and Auditor General, has voiced her concerns about the situation and provided recommendations for improvement.

Public Response

SDLPOpposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has expressed the urgent need for fundamental changes within the health service to address the critical issues highlighted in the report.