Ambulance trusts on 'black alert'

999 calls soar as patients experience record waiting times in the back of ambulances. 

The Independent has seen a leaked brief from the West Midlands Ambulance Service and has found patients have been waiting for hours outside hospitals, meaning ambulances could not respond to any emergency 999 calls. 

Ambulance staff have also faced hours of delays resulting in at least four hours or more at the end of their 12 hour shift. 

The briefing in June said "“This current situation is unacceptable and leads to fatigue, poor morale, has impacts on patient safety and potentially non-compliance with the Working Time Directive.”

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Source: The Independent, 9 July 2021