Elderly individuals are more prone to experiencing extended waits exceeding 12 hours in hospital A&E corridors, according to recent data analysis. The Nuffield Trust revealed that in 2025, 43% of those over 80 faced waits of over 12 hours before being admitted to a hospital ward, compared to 19% of individuals aged 21 to 30.
Sarah Scobie, Research Director at the Nuffield Trust, expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the distressing reality that a significant portion of elderly A&E patients endure lengthy waits in unsafe conditions. These prolonged waits have been linked to avoidable deaths and challenging experiences for patients.
Contrary to previous assumptions, the analysis showed that elderly patients spend more time waiting for a hospital bed, despite the belief that they are likely to be admitted promptly due to their frailty and complex health conditions. This leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment, worsening their overall experience.
Many elderly patients endure prolonged delays in inadequate settings such as waiting rooms or makeshift spaces, where basic necessities like food and rest are often lacking. Health officials have started to disclose figures related to these corridor care waits to address the issue.
Dr. Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, criticized the prolonged stays in A&E, emphasizing that such delays contribute to unnecessary deaths. Efforts to address the crisis have fallen short, and simply diverting patients away from emergency departments is not a sustainable solution.
The use of “corridor care,” a practice quietly introduced across the NHS in 2022 to manage ambulance queues, has raised concerns. Patients receiving corridor care are defined as those not treated in suitable and safe environments, lacking privacy, access to necessities, and proper rest.
The failure to meet A&E waiting time standards has been a persistent issue, with the NHS target of treating or admitting 95% of patients within four hours remaining unmet since July 2015. Recent data reveals an improvement, with 75.4% of patients seen within four hours in A&E departments in England.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the challenges faced by the NHS and emphasized ongoing investments to enhance urgent and emergency care services. Plans include expanding bed capacity, promoting care outside hospitals, and reducing A&E waiting times.
The importance of a robust social care system was highlighted, with the Prime Minister’s commitment to social care reform to ensure individuals receive the necessary support and dignity. Addressing both healthcare and social care systems is seen as vital in improving NHS waiting times and overall patient care.
