New figures reveal that almost 2.7 million people in England made their own way to Accident & Emergency (A&E) last year instead of waiting for an ambulance. The Liberal Democrats, who obtained the data through Freedom of Information requests, have warned of an escalating “Uber ambulance crisis”.
The number of patients bypassing ambulances is up 340,000 compared with 2019, highlighting a sharp rise in people who no longer feel they can rely on emergency response times.
Patients Arriving Without Ambulances
The data shows a worrying increase in cases where patients needing urgent or critical treatment are turning up at A&E without ambulance support.
- Code 1 patients – the most serious cases needing resuscitation – reached 10,600 in 2024, up from 9,000 in 2023.
- Code 2 patients – those requiring very urgent care – rose by 55%, from 165,000 in 2019 to 256,000 in 2024.
Regional and Age Group Pressures
Some NHS Trusts recorded sharp rises:
- Sandwell and West Birmingham: a 320% increase in patients arriving without an ambulance.
- Mid and South Essex: the highest overall number, with 322,000 patients self-transporting.
Older people are particularly affected. Among over-65s, 459,000 arrived at A&E without an ambulance in 2024, a 22% rise on 2019.
Within this age group:
- Code 1 emergencies increased from 370 to 3,100 in just five years.
- Code 2 emergencies rose from 29,700 to 53,600.
Calls for Action
Helen Morgan MP, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson, said the figures show a collapse in public trust:
“People simply don’t think they can rely on ambulance services even in the most serious of circumstances.”
The Lib Dems are calling for a £50 million annual emergency fund to protect local ambulance stations from closure and boost recruitment of paramedics.
Why It Matters
Ambulance delays and stretched emergency services are leaving patients with no choice but to call a taxi, ask a friend, or even drive themselves to hospital. The trend raises safety concerns, particularly for the elderly and those with life-threatening conditions who risk serious complications without immediate medical assistance.
Source: Lib Dem
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