A study by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine reveals more than 250 patients could be dying each week due to delays in A&E departments across England, highlighting a crisis in emergency care that demands immediate remediation.
In 2023, a significant concern was raised by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) regarding the impact of prolonged waiting times in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments across England. The RCEM study suggested that more than 250 patients could be dying each week due to the delays in receiving necessary hospital care. This alarming figure emerged from a situation where, despite the National Health Service (NHS) setting a target to see patients within four hours, data indicated that only 70.9% were seen within this timeframe.
The research underscored a direct correlation between extended waits in A&E and an increased risk of mortality, with more than 1.5 million patients experiencing waits of 12 hours or more in the past year. This significant delay was attributed to various factors, including insufficient funding, resources, and staffing shortages, which in turn, compromised patient safety and care quality.
Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the RCEM, called for immediate action to address the discrepancies and harm caused by the extended waiting periods. The Emergency Medicine Journal published research estimating that around 268 excess deaths might have occurred weekly throughout 2023 due to the delays in admission post-decision.
The NHS has acknowledged the rising demand for emergency care and the strain it puts on A&E departments. In response, efforts such as the allocation of additional funding and resources have been made to mitigate the issue and improve patient outcomes. However, the situation highlights a critical need for further improvements in A&E service capacity and efficiency to prevent avoidable harm and fatalities among patients awaiting admission in England’s hospitals.
