New analysis by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine reveals that there were more than 16,600 deaths associated with long A&E waits before admission in England last year.
That’s an increase of 20% (2,725) compared to 2023.
The figure will be announced today (15 May 2025) by RCEM’s President, Dr Adrian Boyle, at the launch of the newly formed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Emergency Care.
The informal cross-party group brings together parliamentarians who will engage with healthcare professionals and organisations outside government to advocate for improvements in Urgent and Emergency Care, with the secretariat function being provided by RCEM.
In light of this sobering mortality analysis, the group, chaired by Dr Rosena Allin-Khan who is herself an Emergency Medicine Doctor, has pledged to look at the harm caused by delays and corridor care as a priority.
Last year, more than 1.7 million patients waited 12 hours or more to be admitted, discharged or transferred from A&E. That’s almost 14% more compared to 2023.
Of these patients, 69.2% were waiting to be admitted to a ward for further care.
