Slow 999 response times forcing many more people to find own way to A&E

Figures for England obtained by Lib Dems show that 500,000 people in very urgent' need travelled to hospital without ambulance in 2023

Growing numbers of seriously ill people are making their own way to A&E in what has been called an Uber ambulance crisis", because 999 response times are too slow.

A&E doctors said that while they understood that people are acting out of desperation", they are taking a serious risk with their health, especially if they are driving themselves.