Lib Dems warn about growing numbers going to A&E without ambulances

Growing numbers in England are finding their own way to A&E instead of taking ambulances, with nearly 2.7 million people taking themselves to emergency departments last year.

- Kaamil Ahmed

The figure is up 14% from 2.36 million in 2019, and highlights the number of people losing faith in ambulance services, the Liberal Democrats said after gathering data from NHS trusts. "These figures lay bare an Uber ambulance crisis, where people do not think they can rely on ambulance services even in the most serious of circumstances. This could have deadly consequences if people have lost faith that ambulances will be there when they need them," said Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health and social care spokesperson.