1. Ambulance Crew Delays :

• _* In October alone, ambulance crews experienced nearly 40,000 hours of waiting time to discharge patients into hospitals.
• _* This waiting time keeps the ambulance crews off the road, affecting their ability to respond to emergencies promptly.

2. Impact on Patient Outcomes :

• _* In 2020, there was one recorded death after an ambulance delay, leading to a serious incident declaration.
• _* In 2021, the number of deaths related to ambulance delays rose to 22.
• _* In the first nine months of October 2022, the figure further increased to 37.

5. Reporting Limitations :

• _* The ambulance service is unable to provide information on deaths before an ambulance arrives, as this data is not available in a reportable format.
• _* The figures relate to deaths where the case has been declared a potential serious incident.

4. Media Coverage :

• _* The Shropshire Star has been reporting on the distressing stories of individuals waiting for ambulances for months.

5. Response from Authorities :

• _* The NHS and its social care partners claim to be working to reduce delays, acknowledging the severity of the situation.
• _* A spokesperson from West Midlands Ambulance Service noted a significant increase in demand.