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Elderly Patients Endure Prolonged Waits in UK Accident and Emergency Departments

Elderly patients face extended 12-hour waiting times in UK Accident and Emergency departments due to bed shortages and inadequate social care.

Editorial Desk

July 30, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — London, UK — Elderly patients in the United Kingdom are experiencing extended waiting times, often up to 12 hours, in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments, according to a recent report by the Nuffield Trust.

The Nuffield Trust highlighted long-standing issues contributing to these delays, including a low number of available beds on wards and inadequate social care services outside of hospitals. Corridor care, where patients are treated in hallways due to a lack of bed space, has become a pressing concern.

“The systemic issues within the UK healthcare system, particularly the shortage of beds and insufficient social care support, are significantly impacting patient care,” stated the Nuffield Trust in their report.

These delays not only affect patient outcomes but also strain hospital resources — and staff. The report calls for immediate action to address these underlying problems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of A&E services.

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Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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Editorial Desk

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