Ambulance Service issues apology over Hillsborough "shortcomings"

First and foremost, on behalf of the Trust, I would like to extend my sympathy to the bereaved families of the 96 Liverpool FC supporters who lost their lives as a result of the Hillsborough tragedy on 15 April 1989. I understand this will be a very difficult time for the many people who remain affected by the tragedy, including a number of our current and former staff.

We have cooperated fully with the Hillsborough Independent Panel and given them unrestricted access to archive material from the former South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service. The Trust remains committed to openness in the process and we welcome and fully accept the findings highlighted within the Panel’s report. I sincerely apologise for the shortcomings identified in the report relating to the way in which the incident was managed in the early stages.

Twenty-three years on from the Hillsborough tragedy, the ambulance service is very different and events such as this have shaped the way in which the emergency services plan and respond to major incidents today.”