Elderly Patients Disproportionately Affected by Lengthy A&E Waits
Close to half of patients aged 80 and over waited more than 12 hours in emergency departments, according to a new analysis by the Nuffield Trust think tank. The research highlights that older people are far more likely to experience what experts describe as 'shocking' delays compared to younger patients, with frail patients aged 81 and above regularly bearing the brunt of temporary corridor care.
A patient is logged as receiving corridor care when their treatment occurs outside a clinically suitable and secure environment. Suitable hospital settings include provisions for privacy, as well as access to food, water, and toilet facilities. Lighting should also be able to be switched off, and noise levels kept to a minimum to allow patients to sleep.
Data Reveals Stark Disparities in Waiting Times
The Nuffield Trust's findings reveal that on July 30, 2025, 43% of people aged over 80 waited more than 12 hours from arriving in A&E to being taken to a ward. In contrast, only 19% of those aged 21 to 30 faced similar delays. Researchers also discovered that specific illnesses are much more likely to trigger the 12-hour delays, including respiratory difficulties, stomach issues, and brain conditions.
On May 12, 2026, nearly 3,000 people were looked after in corridors or makeshift spaces. Meanwhile, on February 12, 2026, more than 72,000 people endured delays of more than 12 hours, accounting for a third of all admissions.
Corridor Care: A Symptom of Deeper Issues
The think tank noted that deep-rooted issues in corridor care include a lack of ward beds and poor social care options, which prevent people from returning home. Sarah Scobie, from the Nuffield Trust, said: 'It's absolutely shocking that two-fifths of the most elderly patients going into A&E are stuck waiting for over 12 hours, often in unsafe conditions, when they are already extremely unwell and vulnerable. The evidence is clear that we need improvements in how patients flow through hospitals after A&E. Better access to health and social care services outside hospital, both before and after an admission, is also needed to bring about a sustained reduction in long A&E waiting times.'
Impact on Frail Older Patients
It was previously believed that older people spent more time in A&E departments simply because they frequently required hospital beds. However, the study shows they still experience longer delays than younger admitted patients, even when accounting for admission rates. This points to systemic issues in patient flow and discharge processes.
Dr Ian Higginson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), said: 'Corridor care is now becoming commonplace in our emergency departments and patients who are in need of a bed cannot get one. This week, the Prime Minister has suggested that he wants to shift his attention towards tackling social care. A key component of social care is care for those who are elderly or frail. Increased attention towards the 'back door' of the hospital, including social care and other services which support discharge, would be a welcome step towards bringing bed capacity down and easing overcrowding, and we hope this is included in his thinking.'
Government Response and Investment
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Even under record pressure, the incredible dedication of NHS staff meant that three-quarters of patients were seen in A&E within four hours in June. But we know we need to go further. That is why we are investing £450m this year through our urgent and emergency care plan, which will expand bed capacity, enable more care to be delivered outside hospital settings, and cut A&E waits even further.'
The investment is part of a broader strategy to address the challenges facing emergency departments, including improving patient flow and expanding social care options. However, experts argue that more sustained action is needed to prevent the elderly from enduring prolonged waits in unsuitable conditions.
