Senior doctors have sounded the alarm over what they describe as a growing and “alarming threat to patient safety” as figures reveal that more than a million elderly patients were forced to wait over 12 hours in A&E departments across England last year.
New research by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), shared with the PA news agency, exposes a troubling pattern: the older the patient, the more likely they are to endure lengthy delays in emergency care. The findings raise urgent questions about the state of NHS emergency services, especially as the country grapples with an ageing population.
According to data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, a staggering 1.15 million people aged 60 and above experienced waits exceeding 12 hours to be admitted, treated, or discharged from A&E in 2024. That’s a marked rise from 991,068 in 2023 and more than triple the number recorded in 2019, which stood at just over 305,000.
The RCEM’s report shows the risks increase significantly with age. Patients in their 60s faced a 15% chance of such a delay, but that rose sharply to 33% for those aged 90 or over. Many of these patients spend hours waiting on trolleys in corridors, without proper assessment or even basic comfort — a situation campaigners call both dangerous and dehumanising.
Dr Adrian Boyle, President of the RCEM, did not mince his words: “The healthcare system is failing our most vulnerable patients. These people are our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. To see them suffering in corridors and not receiving timely care is not just unacceptable — it’s life-threatening.”
As part of its Quality Improvement Programme (QIP), the RCEM analysed data from 149 emergency departments covering nearly 25,000 patients. The findings paint a stark picture of the care older patients receive in emergency settings. The report revealed that among patients over 75:
- Only 16% were screened for delirium, a potentially reversible but life-threatening condition.
- Just 48% were assessed for their risk of falling.
- Only 56% were screened for frailty, a key indicator for more tailored care both in hospital and after discharge.
The RCEM is calling for urgent reforms, including mandatory “front door frailty screening” in every emergency department — a measure already being adopted across Scotland.
Dr Anu Mitra, who led the QIP on older patient care, said: “Older people form a significant portion of emergency department attendances. With their complex health needs, it’s vital that emergency departments provide comprehensive, compassionate care. While we’ve seen some improvements, we must maintain and build on this momentum.”
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The Society for Acute Medicine echoed the concerns. Dr Nick Murch, its president, described the current state of affairs as a “grave concern”, warning that the long waits, often in undignified settings, were a sign of “profound failure” in the healthcare system.
Despite the dire warnings, the Department of Health and Social Care insists it is taking action. A spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable that older people are waiting up to 12 hours or more in A&E. This Government is investing £26 billion in the NHS and social care over the next two years and is committed to cutting waiting times so patients are seen faster.”
They added that the recently announced 10-year health plan will focus on improving access, reducing delays, and expanding GP appointments for all — especially for older people.
Yet for frontline NHS staff, the concern remains that without immediate and systemic reform, the most vulnerable patients will continue to face agonising delays — with potentially deadly consequences.
Should the care of elderly patients be a top priority in NHS reform?
