Around one in every ten patients attending large accident and emergency departments in England last year spent more than 12 hours waiting for treatment or a hospital bed, according to new analysis. In 2025, about 1.75 million people experienced these lengthy delays, showing only a small improvement compared with the previous year.
Nursing leaders have warned that prolonged waits are fuelling the continued use of “corridor care”, where patients are treated in unsuitable spaces such as hallways or side rooms. The Royal College of Nursing has shared accounts from staff describing conditions they say are unsafe and degrading, with some nurses reporting deep distress at being unable to provide dignified care.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the situation was unacceptable and acknowledged that hospitals were failing to meet expected standards. While he said some areas, including ambulance response times and elective waiting lists, are beginning to improve, he admitted corridor care remains widespread. He has pledged to end the practice before the next general election and plans to publish more detailed data on its use.
Hospital pressures have been particularly visible this winter, with several trusts declaring critical incidents. Patients have been left waiting overnight for beds, especially older people requiring urgent care. Although the overall waiting list for planned treatments has fallen to its lowest level in nearly two years, doctors warn overcrowded hospitals continue to place patients at risk. Clinicians and campaigners say meaningful reform is urgently needed to prevent long waits from becoming an accepted part of emergency care.
