PhD Studentship: Triage transitions: A mixed methods evaluation of NHS ambulance call prioritisation systems

PhD studentship, University of Bradford, Faculty of Health Studies

Application Deadline:

16 June 2025

Project Title:

Triage transitions: A mixed methods evaluation of NHS ambulance call prioritisation systems

Project Supervisors:

Dr Joshua Pink, Dr Sarath Rathnayake

Project Description:

NHS ambulance services in England triage over 8.5 million 999 calls each year using one of two tools to determine call priority: the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch Service  (AMPDS) and NHS Pathways. It is assumed that both tools are equivalent in triage efficacy, but there has been little research comparing the two triage methods. Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is in the process of migrating from AMPDS to NHS Pathways, which presents a unique opportunity to determine which tool is the most appropriate in correctly identifying high acuity cases within an increasing volume of lower acuity calls.

This project will use mixed methods to assess the impact of this change.  Data modelling and analysis will be used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the system for accurately categorising patients into the correct response categories (for example, telephone advise or ambulance attendance). This accuracy data will also be linked to downstream patient harms caused by errors in classification.

Qualitative methods, such as interviews and/or observations, will also assess the impact of the change on the staff who work directly with the triage systems. At the beginning of the PhD, you will agree the details of the project in collaboration with key stakeholders within Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Based within the Centre for Digital Innovations in Health & Social Care, you will join an active research centre and will be collaborating with researchers as part of a programme of research concerned with designing and evaluating technologies to improve decision making and reduce documentation burden. You will benefit from full access to the researcher development sessions organised by the Centre, including writing retreats, away days, training, and associated events. You will also spend time at the Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research, a collaboration between the Universities of Bradford and Leeds and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where you will get to network with researchers from the NIHR Yorkshire & Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration and the NIHR Yorkshire & Humber Applied Research Collaboration. You will also have access to researcher development sessions organised by the University and the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP). 

The studentship is for up to 4 years; you may wish to spend time as a ‘researcher in residence’ within Yorkshire Ambulance Service, undertaking exploratory research to develop the research questions, and/or spend time there at the end of the PhD to support Yorkshire Ambulance Service in translating your research into practice.

Eligibility:

You should hold a first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second class honours degree, or suitable postgraduate degree in computer science, human factors, psychology, social science or a health or social care related subject.

Funding notes:

This PhD scholarship is available for home students only. The scholarship will attract an annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 and will cover the tuition fees.

Funding for:

UK Students

Enquiries email name and address: 

For informal enquiries, please contact research@bradford.ac.uk

How to apply:

Potential candidates should apply directly online through the online application portal.

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