Why elderly patients are likely to face longer waiting times in A&E
- A Nuffield Trust analysis reveals that elderly patients, particularly those over 81, are disproportionately subjected to waits exceeding 12 hours in Accident and Emergency departments, often receiving “corridor care”.
- The study indicates that in 2025, 43 per cent of over-80s faced a wait of more than 12 hours for admission from A&E, compared to 19 per cent of 21-30 year olds.
- “Corridor care” is defined as treatment in unsuitable environments lacking privacy, basic amenities, and conditions for rest, with nearly 3,000 patients daily experiencing this in England in May.
- Experts attribute these long waits and “corridor care” to systemic issues such as a low number of hospital beds and inadequate social care outside hospitals, leading to delayed patient discharges.
- While the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the problem and plans investment, the Nuffield Trust cautions against an overly narrow focus on “corridor care” targets, which could lead to unintended negative consequences for patient flow.
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