A record number of 420,000 patients had to wait more than 12 hours in emergency rooms last year, analysis shows.
The latest figures from NHS England showed a 20% increase from 2022 in the number of people facing long delays following a decision to admit them to hospital from the emergency department.
In 2023, 419,560 people – or one in 15 A&E patients – experienced “trolley wait times” of 12 hours or more, according to the Liberal Democrats, who compiled the analysis. It is by far the highest number since records began in 2011, and averages 1,150 patients per day.
Ed Davey, the party’s leader, criticized the “appalling delays” and accused Rishi Sunak’s government of “ignoring the suffering of patients and destroying our healthcare system”.
The party also pointed to a postcode lottery, with almost half of patients at some trusts, such as North Middlesex University Hospital Trust, waiting more than half a day.
Significant waiting times in emergency departments have been linked to excess deaths and increased harm to patients, as their condition could deteriorate before they are admitted or given a bed in a ward.
Davey said: “Every year, emergency department delays are getting worse and worse under this Conservative government, as hospitals fall short of the resources and staff they need. These devastating delays often leave vulnerable and elderly patients waiting for hours in overcrowded emergency rooms.
“It is simply inconceivable that Rishi Sunak would now choose to further cut funding for the NHS while passing on major tax cuts to the banks. This will only add fuel to the fire of the NHS crisis.
“People deserve so much better than this conservative government that ignores the suffering of patients and is destroying our healthcare system. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to improve the NHS and ensure people get access to the care they need.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Our urgent and urgent care recovery plan is already reducing both A&E waiting times and ambulance response times compared to last year – but we know there is still more to do is.
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“We are on track to deliver a further 5,000 permanently staffed hospital beds this winter and have achieved our target of delivering 10,000 virtual ward beds, so patients can recover from the comfort of a familiar environment.
“We recently provided £800 million to support NHS capacity and help patients get the care they need as quickly as possible this winter.”
Patricia Marquis, director of the Royal College of Nursing for England, said: “Behind the figures are people suffering for hours without privacy and at risk of their health drastically deteriorating.
“Ultimately, patients will not get the care they deserve until the government commits to a safe nurse workforce, but we will never attract and retain enough nurses in the profession until the government pays them fairly.”