Although previously very rare, more and more trials are becoming in need of ‘rescue’ as competition for resources means less experienced staff are left to manage unforeseen problems or ensure projects keep to their timelines. No one seems sure how to deal with all the delays and the CRO is beginning to run out of ideas. David Ng and Leslie Jones at WuXi Clinical stress the importance of reviewing some of the scenarios that typically cause a tipping point to be reached, before constructing a ‘rescue package’.