Responding to the report by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) on the harm caused by handover delays, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

"This report highlights a really important issue that has become particularly pressing in the light of increased handover delays.

"These delays reflect severe pressures across the health and care system, including hospitals, mental health, community and primary care, and social care as well.

"But ambulance services are right at the sharp end.

"Consequently we have seen a shift in the balance of risk for patient safety, sitting much more squarely with ambulance services.

"It is important that system partners pull together to address this risk, a process that will doubtless require difficult decisions and strong leadership."