Revealed: 12-hour A&E waits quadrupled in most areas of England last year
EMBARGO: 00:01 Monday 13 February 2023
Four in five areas in England saw the number of 12-hour waits at A&E quadruple last year, shocking new analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.
The figures reveal a devastating rise in long delays to be admitted to hospital from A&E right across the country.
In the worst-hit areas, almost one in four patients waited 12 hours or more to be admitted to hospital from A&E.
Previous research has highlighted how long waits to be admitted to hospital at A&E can have devastating consequences including the risks of a patient dying or becoming seriously unwell.
A shocking 91 of 113 NHS hospital trusts in England saw the number of patients waiting over 12 hours more than quadruple in 2022 compared to the previous year. Only four of the trusts saw the number of 12-hour waits fall. The figures are based on data on A&E waiting times from NHS England, which were compiled by the House of Commons Library.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust was the worst in the country with over 24% of patients waiting at least 12 hours at A&E to be admitted to hospital in 2022. This was followed by North Middlesex where 23% faced waits of 12 hours or more, up ninefold on the previous year. Other hospital trusts with the highest number of patients waiting 12 hours or more include Royal Cornwall (21%), East Cheshire (21%) and Croydon (21%).
Overall, 36 trusts saw at least 10% of patients waiting over 12 hours to be admitted to hospital from A&E in 2022. This compares to not a single trust seeing more than 10% of patients waiting that long the previous year.
The Lib Dems have slammed the government for allowing the “devastating delays”, and called for an urgent plan to tackle staff shortages. The party is calling for a ‘Carer’s Minimum Wage,’ £2 above the minimum wage, to tackle shortages in the social care sector that are contributing to overcrowded hospitals and record delays at A&E.
Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said:
“These devastating delays are leaving far too many patients waiting in pain and in fear for the treatment they deserve.
“For years the Conservatives have ignored repeated warnings about the pressures facing the NHS and care, allowing the situation to go from bad to worse. This crisis means far too many people are now terrified of getting sick or injured because they don't know if the NHS will be there when they need it.
“The government needs to come up with a proper plan to tackle chronic staff shortages, instead of allowing our health and care services to lurch from crisis to crisis. That must start with recruiting more GPs and social care workers, so people can be cared for at home where needed instead of being stranded in hospital.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
The full figures showing the NHS Trusts with the highest proportion of 12-hour waits in 2022 are available here.
