URGENT UPDATE: More than 50,000 elderly patients faced shocking waits of up to three days for hospital beds last year, according to alarming new data from Age UK. This report, based on a Freedom of Information request, reveals that the situation in the NHS has reached a crisis point, with many patients left in distressing conditions.
The troubling figures show that approximately 101,972 individuals aged 65 and over were forced to wait between one and three days in A&E corridors and waiting rooms after being admitted in the fiscal year 2024/25. Of these, 53,870 were aged 80 or older, highlighting a severe impact on the most vulnerable population.
According to Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, the conditions faced by patients are “horrific.” She explained that waiting for more than 24 hours in such crowded and inadequate settings is devastating, especially for those in their eighties, who may already be dealing with multiple health issues.
Patients have reported being left on floors or in makeshift settings without adequate care. One patient, a 77-year-old identified as David, recounted spending 30 hours in A&E, lying on the floor with no bed available. “It was horrendous,” he said, expressing his fears and anguish during such a critical time. Another patient, Michael, 80, spent 16 hours on a trolley after suffering a heart attack, while Jennifer, 76, was forced to clean herself in a toilet sink after waiting for 36 hours without proper facilities.
This devastating report comes amid a broader investigation by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, revealing that some NHS hospitals are resorting to using corridors as care spaces. Senior staff have indicated that these adaptations are necessary due to the overwhelming patient load.
The Royal College of Nursing recently warned that the deteriorating care standards in the NHS are pushing staff morale to “almost past the point of no return.” As conditions worsen, the pressure mounts on NHS staff, who face the moral dilemma of providing inadequate care.
Age UK is now urging the government to implement a comprehensive plan to address these issues, demanding specific deadlines to reduce long A&E waits and eliminate corridor care. The charity is calling for a dedicated minister to oversee these efforts and report back to Parliament every six months.
In December, NHS England reported that 50,775 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E departments, a slight increase from November’s 50,648. Additionally, the number of patients waiting over four hours rose to 137,763, with only 73.8% of patients seen within the four-hour target timeframe. The government aims for 78% of patients to be admitted, discharged, or transferred within four hours by March 2026.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the urgency for governmental action is paramount. The experiences of these elderly patients underscore the critical need for immediate reforms to restore dignity and safety in NHS care.
This distressing reality has sparked outrage among the public and healthcare professionals alike, with many demanding immediate accountability from the government. The call for change grows louder as the elderly population continues to face unacceptable conditions in hospitals across the UK.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
