Long A&E waits causing heartbreaking suffering, charity says
Summary
A report by the charity Age UK highlights long waiting times in emergency rooms in England, causing distress and risky situations for older patients. The report found that many older people, especially those over 60, face extended waits due to a lack of available community support, which prevents hospitals from discharging patients. The government acknowledges the issue and is investing more money to address it.Key Facts
- Age UK reports long waits in emergency rooms ('A&E') in England are causing distress, especially for older people.
- One in three people over 90 faced 12-hour waits in A&Es last year.
- In 2024-25, there were over 1.7 million instances of 12-hour waits at major hospitals.
- Two-thirds of the long waits involved people over 60.
- Long waiting times happen because hospitals can't discharge medically-fit patients due to a lack of community support.
- The government is investing more money in the NHS to tackle this issue.
- A health minister stated it is unacceptable for patients to receive care in corridors.
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