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Over 16,600 Excess Deaths in A&E Linked to 12-Hour Waits, New Figures Reveal

A record 1.7 million patients faced prolonged delays in 2024, prompting £26 billion in government reforms and the launch of a parliamentary group to address the crisis.

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Overview

  • The Royal College of Emergency Medicine estimates 16,644 excess deaths in 2024 due to patients waiting 12 hours or more in A&E for a hospital bed, a 20% increase from 2023.
  • More than 1.7 million patients experienced 12-hour waits last year, with nearly 70% waiting for ward admission, highlighting systemic failures in patient flow.
  • The crisis disproportionately affects mental health patients, with delays in Greater Manchester A&Es increasing over 500% since 2019, leading to distress and unsafe conditions.
  • A new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Emergency Care, chaired by Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan, aims to examine the harm caused by delays and propose solutions.
  • The government has pledged £26 billion to reform healthcare, focusing on expanding community-based care and improving A&E capacity to reduce waiting times.