Patients seeking urgent medical care in England are facing a deepening crisis, with average waiting times in Accident and Emergency departments soaring to nearly six hours, according to a damning new analysis.
The investigation, based on official NHS data, reveals a stark postcode lottery for emergency care. While the national average wait from arrival to admission, transfer, or discharge reached five hours and 53 minutes in 2023/24, the situation is far worse in some hospital trusts.
The Worst-Hit Hospitals
Several NHS trusts are buckling under the pressure, with average waits significantly exceeding the national figure.
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust reported the longest average wait at a staggering 10 hours and 57 minutes.
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust followed closely, with average waits of nine hours and 45 minutes, and nine hours and 33 minutes respectively.
A Decade of Decline
The data paints a picture of a service in steady decline. Compared to a decade ago, when the average A&E wait was just two hours and 58 minutes, current figures represent a doubling of waiting times. This erosion of performance comes despite a slight improvement from the peak of the pandemic.
Four-Hour Target: A Distant Memory
The NHS's foundational target—that 95% of A&E patients should be seen within four hours—now seems like a relic from a different era. Last year, this target was met for only 70% of attendees, a figure that has plummeted from 87% a decade ago. In the worst-performing trusts, this rate fell to just 44%.
What This Means for Patients
These lengthy waits are not just an inconvenience; they represent a serious risk to patient safety. Experts warn that delays in receiving emergency assessment and treatment can lead to worsened outcomes, especially for those with life-threatening conditions like heart attacks or strokes.
The analysis underscores the immense pressure facing the NHS and raises urgent questions about the sustainability of emergency care services across the country.
