Access to emergency services - Lords Committee announces new inquiry and launches call for evidence

The inquiry will consider the challenges emergency services are facing, particularly when responding to health emergencies), and if more collaborative working between the three blue-light services could address these issues and improve outcomes for patients. The inquiry will consider issues relating to governance and leadership, best practice and innovation, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that processes for decision making are always focused on patient welfare.

The full call for evidence and details of how to make submissions are available on the Committee website. Submissions of written evidence should be received by 26 October 2022.

Commenting on the inquiry launch Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top said;

“Long wait times and delays have become an unwelcome mainstay in the provision of emergency services, and our previous work has found that severe staff shortages are affecting service users. This has all greatly affected the public’s ability to access emergency services when and where they are most urgently needed.

“Our inquiry will reflect on how emergency services can be organised so that the welfare of service users is always at the forefront of decision-making.
“The Committee looks forward to hearing evidence and receiving submissions that will demonstrate how decision-making at local and national level could improve outcomes for service users and achieve greater efficiency. We are also interested in hearing whether the bodies involved - local providers, NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards - have the level of autonomy they need to deliver high quality services. We are aware of creative models and practices of delivering emergency services across the UK and more widely. We want to hear more about these innovations, how they have been implemented, and the challenges they bring.”

The first evidence session will be held on 12 October. Details and witnesses will be published in due course.