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NHS A&E Waits Skyrocket: 24 Hours in ER!
23 Apr
Summary
- Nearly half a million patients spent over a day in A&E last year.
- Over 13,000 patients endured waits of at least three days.
- Doctors express shame over undignified and unsafe corridor care.
Nearly half a million patients endured waits of over 24 hours in NHS A&E departments last year, a stark indicator of current pressures. Of these, more than 13,000 patients were forced to wait at least three full days before receiving care or a hospital bed.
Doctors have expressed profound concern, with some stating they are "ashamed" of the current situation. They describe seeing the same patients waiting for extended periods, even after returning to work the following morning. This prolonged "corridor care" has been normalized as an emergency measure since 2022.
Official data reveals a significant increase in long waits, with 12-hour waits escalating dramatically since 2019. This crisis has been exacerbated by a decade-long funding squeeze and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to dangerous delays.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pledged to end the practice of corridor care before the next general election. The NHS is reportedly reforming its urgent and emergency care system to address these challenges, with early positive signs in some trusts.
