Elderly Patients Face Long A&E Waiting Times in England
· news
The Shameful Corridors of Care: England’s Elderly Left to Fend for Themselves in A&E
The latest data from the Nuffield Trust paints a dismal picture of Accident and Emergency departments in England, where elderly patients are being left to endure agonizing waits of over 12 hours. More than two-fifths of those aged 81 and above face this cruel fate, often subjected to “corridor care” – treatment administered in unsanitary and dehumanizing conditions.
The Nuffield Trust analysis has debunked the notion that older adults are more likely to be hospitalized due to their higher likelihood of admission. Instead, even among patients who are ultimately admitted, the elderly consistently face the longest waiting times. The statistics are stark: in 2025, 43% of over-80s faced waits exceeding 12 hours between arrival and admission to a hospital ward, compared with just 19% of those aged 21-30.
Certain health problems – such as airway or breathing issues, gastrointestinal conditions, and neurological conditions – are far more likely to lead to prolonged A&E stays. In May alone, nearly 3,000 patients every day were cared for in hospital corridors or makeshift treatment areas in England. The consequences are dire: long A&E waits have been linked to thousands of avoidable deaths in recent years.
Behind each case of corridor care lies a person going through a frightening and traumatic experience. Dr Ian Higginson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, highlights the critical need for improved access to health and social care services beyond hospital walls. This involves not just more beds but also better operational practice – delivering essential services into evenings and weekends when they are most needed.
The government’s decision to invest £450 million through its urgent and emergency care plan is a start, but it falls short of addressing the systemic issues at play. The Prime Minister has signaled a shift in focus towards tackling social care, which would be a welcome step towards reducing bed capacity and easing overcrowding. However, this is merely the beginning.
The root causes of A&E waits are not solely the responsibility of the NHS. Improved access to social care and other support services outside of hospitals would help alleviate pressure on beds and reduce overcrowding. This requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the systemic issues driving A&E waits. Ultimately, the corridors of care in England’s A&Es serve as a stark reminder of our society’s failure to prioritize the most vulnerable among us. We must do better – not just for the sake of those waiting in corridors but also for the integrity of our healthcare system as a whole.
Reader Views
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The latest Nuffield Trust data on A&E waiting times for elderly patients is yet another stark reminder that England's healthcare system is woefully unprepared to meet the needs of its aging population. While the government's decision to invest £450 million in healthcare infrastructure is a welcome step, it ignores the root issue: an inadequate network of community-based services that could prevent these prolonged hospital stays in the first place. A more effective solution would be to bolster primary care and social support systems, enabling older adults to receive timely treatment and avoiding the traumatic experience of corridor care altogether.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
"The NHS is still grappling with the perfect storm of staffing shortages and resource constraints. What's striking in this data is that corridor care isn't just a consequence of inadequate infrastructure; it's also a symptom of deeper systemic flaws. If we're not addressing the root causes of delayed discharges – like lack of community-based services and social support – these waiting times will continue to worsen, even with increased funding. The government needs to shift its focus from pouring more money into A&E departments and instead invest in building up a robust network of out-of-hospital care options."
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The £450 million investment aimed at easing A&E congestion is woefully insufficient without corresponding increases in social care funding and bed capacity in non-acute settings. Without adequate support for elderly patients outside of hospital walls, we risk merely shuffling the problem – albeit temporarily – from one unsatisfactory solution to another. We need more than just cash injections; systemic reform is required to ensure vulnerable populations receive compassionate care that respects their dignity, not just patchwork fixes to an already strained system.