What is the problem of England’s emergency health care services?

Ambulances are facing delays when they take emergency patients to hospital in England, the BBC has learnt. Data provided by the 11 ambulance services showed all are experiencing difficulties handing over patients. (25) Hospitals are supposed to take charge of them within 15 minutes of the ambulance arriving, but some are missing this in over half of cases. Waits of an hour are even being experienced at times, delaying crews from attending other 999 calls. It means paramedics are left waiting with their patients in hospital corridors until a nurse or doctor can take the person off their hands. However, systems are in place to ensure patients whose lives are in danger are fast-tracked in ahead of those who are not at immediate risk. (26) London has the worst difficulties with the 15-minute goal, being missed in more than 45% of cases on average in recent months compared to just over a quarter at the start of 2009.