NHS Faces Record A&E Wait Times as Winter Approaches

NHS England reports rising emergency department delays and ambulance response times amid unprecedented demand.

A&E departments in England saw 49,592 patients wait over 12 hours for admission in October, marking the third highest monthly figure since 2010.
Ambulance response times for life-threatening incidents averaged eight minutes and 38 seconds, exceeding the target of seven minutes.
The number of patients waiting over four hours for admission rose to 148,789, with only 73% seen within the target time.
The NHS is experiencing record demand, with October being the busiest month for A&Es and ambulances, raising concerns of potential service crises.
Health experts warn of endemic performance issues, with many key targets unmet for years, as the NHS braces for further winter pressures.