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HCP LEVEL 1 (HCP 1) CATEGORY 1 (7- minute mean response time)

This level of response should be reserved for those exceptional circumstances when an HCP requires immediate, additional clinical assistance from the ambulance service to treat a patient in need of immediate, life-saving intervention such as resuscitation. Examples would include cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, life-threatening asthma, obstetric emergency, airway compromise and cardiovascular collapse (including septic shock).

HCP LEVEL 2 (HCP 2) CATEGORY 2 (18-minute mean response time)

This level of response is based on the clinical condition of the patient and their need for immediate additional clinical care in hospital in an emergency department or acute receiving unit (i.e. medical or surgical assessment unit, delivery suite). Patients with a National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) 7 or greater may trigger a request for this level of response. Patients with a NEWS2 score of 6 or less may be suitable for HCP Level 2 response by exception if any GP requests this level of response.

Examples may be patients with sepsis, myocardial infarction, CVA, acute abdomen, acute ischaemic limb, acute pancreatitis, major gastrointestinal haemorrhage and overdose requiring immediate treatment.

It is preferable that HCPs requesting a Level 1 or 2 response remain with the patient until arrival of the emergency ambulance if they are on scene with the patient to hand over their care to the attending ambulance clinician.

HCP LEVEL 3 (HCP 3) 1- hour locally commissioned response

Any HCP can request this level of response as they do now for patents who require an emergency admission to hospital. Examples may be patients who require urgent investigations to inform ongoing care such as CT, MRI, ultrasound or who need an urgent assessment by a specialist. Mental health emergency admissions and patients with respiratory conditions, or suspected fractures (not due to major trauma) are examples that could be considered for a Level 3 response.

HCP LEVEL 4 (HCP 4) 4-hour locally commissioned response

This is for all other patients who do not clinically require any of the above response levels and do not need to be managed as an emergency. Examples may be patients being admitted directly under specialty teams as well as those being admitted to emergency departments for further investigation who do not require emergency investigation or treatment immediately upon arrival.

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