What's happened
A report reveals over 1.15 million patients aged 60 and above in England endured waits exceeding 12 hours in A&E during 2024, highlighting a growing crisis in emergency care. Health leaders warn that financial pressures are leading to unacceptable conditions, with many elderly patients experiencing degrading treatment.
What's behind the headline?
Current Situation
- Over 1.15 million older patients faced waits exceeding 12 hours in A&E in 2024, a significant increase from previous years.
- The likelihood of long waits increases with age, with patients aged 90 and above facing a 33% chance of such delays.
Systemic Issues
- Sir Jim Mackey, NHS England's chief executive, highlighted that staff have become desensitized to unacceptable care conditions, which have become normalized over time.
- The financial squeeze on the NHS is leading to discussions about cutting jobs and scaling back services, which could worsen patient care.
Recommendations
- The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) suggests implementing 'front door frailty screening' in A&E to better address the needs of older patients.
- There is a pressing need for the government to prioritize A&E care to prevent further deterioration of services.
What the papers say
The Independent's Rebecca Thomas reported on Sir Jim Mackey's comments regarding the normalization of unacceptable care in the NHS, emphasizing the financial pressures leading to potential job cuts. Meanwhile, The Guardian's Andrew Gregory highlighted the alarming statistics from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, noting that over a million older patients faced long waits, which Dr. Adrian Boyle described as a failure of the healthcare system. Jane Kirby from The Independent echoed these concerns, detailing the inadequate screening for critical conditions among elderly patients. Martin Bagot from The Mirror added context by discussing the broader implications of the NHS's financial struggles and the impact on patient care.
How we got here
The NHS has been under increasing financial strain, with a projected £7 billion deficit for the upcoming financial year. This has led to discussions among hospital leaders about potential job cuts and scaling back essential services, exacerbating the crisis in emergency care.
Go deeper
- What are the main causes of the NHS crisis?
- How are elderly patients affected by long A&E waits?
- What reforms are being proposed to improve patient care?
Common question
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Why Are Elderly Patients Facing Long Waits in A&E?
The healthcare crisis in England has reached alarming levels, particularly for elderly patients who are experiencing unprecedented wait times in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments. With over 1.15 million seniors waiting more than 12 hours for care in 2024, many are left wondering what is causing these delays and how the healthcare system plans to address them. Below are some common questions and answers regarding this pressing issue.
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What are the causes of long A&E waits in the NHS?
The NHS is currently facing a significant crisis, particularly in emergency care, with long waits in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments becoming increasingly common. This situation raises urgent questions about the underlying causes, the impact on vulnerable populations, and potential solutions to improve patient care.
More on these topics
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The Department of Health and Social Care is a department of Her Majesty's Government, responsible for government policy on health and adult social care matters in England, along with a few elements of the same matters which are not otherwise devolved to t
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The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is an independent professional association of emergency physicians in the United Kingdom which sets standards of training and administers examinations for emergency medicine in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by
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The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom, comprising the NHS in England, NHS Scotland and NHS Wales. Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland was created separately and is often local