According to analysis, a total of 420,000 individuals were forced to endure wait times of over 12 hours in the emergency room last year.
The most recent data from NHS England showed a 20% rise in individuals experiencing significant waits after being admitted to the hospital from the emergency department, compared to 2022.
According to the Liberal Democrats, in 2023, 419,560 individuals – or one out of every 15 emergency room patients – experienced “trolley waits” of 12 hours or longer. This is the largest number recorded since 2011 and equates to an average of 1,150 patients per day.
The party’s leader, Ed Davey, condemned the “unacceptable delays” and blamed Rishi Sunak’s government for neglecting the well-being of patients and causing harm to our healthcare system.
The party highlighted a phenomenon known as the postcode lottery, where nearly half of the patients under certain trusts, like the North Middlesex University Hospital Trust, had to wait more than 12 hours.
Long waiting times in the emergency department have been associated with higher mortality rates and more adverse effects on patients, as their health may worsen while they are waiting to be admitted or placed in a hospital room.
Davey stated that there has been a continual decline in A&E wait times every year under the current Conservative government. This is due to insufficient resources and staff at hospitals. As a result, patients, particularly those who are vulnerable or elderly, are forced to endure long waits in overcrowded A&E facilities.
“It is simply unthinkable that Rishi Sunak is now choosing to slash funding for the NHS further, while handing big tax cuts to the banks. This will just pour petrol on the flames of the NHS crisis.
“The current Conservative government is neglecting the needs of patients and causing our healthcare system to deteriorate. Choosing to vote for the Liberal Democrats means choosing to prioritize the improvement of the NHS and ensuring adequate healthcare for all.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care stated that their plan to improve urgent and emergency care has already resulted in reduced A&E wait times and faster ambulance response compared to last year. However, they acknowledge that there is still more work to be done.
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“We are making good progress in providing an extra 5,000 permanent hospital beds for this winter. We have also successfully achieved our goal of delivering 10,000 virtual ward beds, enabling patients to recuperate in the comfort of their own homes.”
“We have recently allocated £800 million to enhance the capacity of the NHS and expedite patient access to necessary care during the winter season.”
Patricia Marquis, the Royal College of Nursing’s director for England, said: “Behind the numbers are people suffering for hours with no privacy and left in danger of their health drastically deteriorating.
In the end, patients will not receive adequate care until the government ensures proper staffing levels for nurses. However, it will be difficult to attract and retain enough nurses in the field unless the government provides fair compensation for their work.
Source: theguardian.com
