Supporting Better Decisions,
Closer to Home
The Call Before Convey (CB4C) service enables ambulance clinicians to access rapid advice from experienced GPs, Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Emergency Department Consultants, helping them make informed decisions about the most appropriate care for patients.
By identifying safe alternatives to hospital admission, such as community services, remote prescribing or specialist referrals, CB4C improves patient experience, reduces unnecessary Emergency Department attendances and helps patients remain safely at home whenever possible.
With clinicians connected in an average of just two minutes, the service also supports faster ambulance turnaround times, improving emergency care across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Call Before Convey
The Call Before Convey (CB4C) service optimises patient care by enabling ambulance clinicians to consult with senior clinicians, supporting informed clinical decision-making and ensuring patients receive the most appropriate care. This collaborative approach helps determine whether patients require transport to the Emergency Department (ED) or if alternative pathways are suitable, such as referrals to community services, self-care support, remote prescribing, or referral to hospital specialist teams.
By providing rapid access to clinical advice, CB4C reduces unnecessary ED visits, particularly during peak times, easing pressure on hospital services and improving patient experience. The service also supports ambulance crews by reducing time spent on site, enabling them to respond more quickly to the next 999 call, while patients benefit from receiving timely care in their own homes.
CB4C is available to ambulance crews attending patients within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough or those who would otherwise be transported to one of the county’s three hospitals. In most cases, crews consult CB4C unless immediate hospital admission is required. The service connects ambulance clinicians with senior ED Consultants, GPs, and Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs), allowing collaborative decisions such as arranging EPS prescriptions to the patient’s nearest pharmacy, coordinating community services, or directing patients to specialist care when appropriate. Previously, paramedics waited an average of 48 minutes to speak with a duty doctor; CB4C reduces this to an average of just 2 minutes, significantly improving patient flow and care outcomes.
The CB4C service operates:
- Monday to Sunday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, 365 days per year
Through rapid, expert guidance and collaborative decision-making, CB4C enhances clinical pathways, reduces unnecessary hospital admissions, and ensures patients receive safe, timely, and patient-centred care while remaining connected with their support networks. The service also strengthens wider healthcare delivery across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by improving ambulance response times and supporting optimal use of community and hospital resources.
How to access CB4C
CB4C is an urgent care service designed to support patients who require urgent assessment or care and may otherwise need to attend hospital.
The service is accessed through healthcare professionals and the appropriate urgent care pathways.
Patients should not contact GPN directly to request admission to the service.
If you need urgent medical advice, please use the appropriate NHS urgent care route for your circumstances.
If you are already receiving care from a healthcare professional,
they will advise you if CB4C is appropriate and arrange access to the service where required.
