Age UK calls for urgent reforms as over 1.7 million patients faced 12-hour waits in A&E, leading to heartbreaking experiences in the National Health Service.
- Data from NHS England reveals that over 1.7 million patients endured 12-hour waits in major hospitals during 2024-25, alarming advocates like Age UK.
- Witnesses in the emergency department described tragic scenes, including a patient likely dying beside them, underscoring the dire conditions caused by long waits.
- Reports indicate that situations involving patients with conditions like myocardial infarction are increasingly common, amplifying the urgency for reform in the National Health Service.
Why It Matters
The prolonged waits in emergency departments reflect systemic issues in healthcare delivery, stressing the need for immediate policy changes to enhance patient care and safety, especially for vulnerable populations.