People are enduring long waits in crowded A&E departments, with claims from a charity suggesting some are waiting up to a week for treatment.
According to a recent analysis by Age UK, the number of elderly individuals waiting between one and three days in A&E has surged dramatically. The charity highlights distressing experiences in A&E, emphasizing that the oldest members of society are disproportionately affected by the national A&E crisis, often left neglected in hospital waiting areas.
Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveals a staggering 102,000 instances of over-65s waiting in A&E for 24 to 72 hours after a decision to admit them was made in the year 2024/25. More than half of these cases, totaling 54,000, involved individuals aged 80 and over. In comparison, in 2018/19, individuals over 65 waited in A&E for one to three days only 1,346 times.
While NHS England suggests that waits exceeding three days may stem from data quality issues, Age UK disputes this claim, citing accounts of individuals waiting even longer, up to a week in some cases.
Caroline Abrahams, the director of Age UK, expressed dismay over the situation, highlighting the challenges faced by over 100,000 elderly individuals who had to endure extended waits for a hospital bed, with a significant portion being over 80 years old. The charity’s report recounts harrowing tales of elderly patients left in distressing conditions, lacking basic care and dignity during their time in A&E.
The firsthand testimonies include accounts from individuals like David, 77, who spent 30 hours in A&E without proper care or attention, and Michael, 80, who endured 16 hours on a trolley after a heart attack, describing his experience as dreadful and frightening.
The data further reveals a concerning trend – patients spending more than 12 hours in A&E are at a higher risk of mortality within 30 days compared to those seen within two hours. Age UK emphasizes that the elderly, with their complex health needs, often face longer wait times for assessment and treatment in A&E.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Ms. Abrahams called for urgent action to address the distressing conditions faced by older patients in A&E, urging the government to take decisive steps to alleviate the strain on hospitals.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care expressed sympathy for those who have endured challenging experiences in A&E and highlighted government efforts to improve the situation, including increased funding for urgent care, vaccination drives, and the development of new healthcare facilities.
Despite these measures, Age UK remains skeptical about the government’s ability to address the A&E crisis effectively, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable patients in emergency healthcare settings.