Excess Deaths From Waiting
Excess Deaths From Waiting amount to 15,860 in England’s emergency departments. This requires an investigation and accountability.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s latest report reported on the estimated 15,860 excess deaths associated with long waits in England’s emergency departments last year. According to RCEM’s analysis, excess deaths associated with long waits have risen almost tenfold over the last decade which goes hand in hand with 12-hour waits.
The mortality estimate is derived from an observational study published in 2022 that examined more than five million NHS patients admitted through emergency departments. The study found that patients experiencing longer waits before admission had a higher risk of dying within 30 days. From this association, researchers estimated that for every 72 to 82 patients experiencing prolonged delays, one additional death might occur.
Whilst the authors adjusted for age, sex, deprivation and comorbidities, they could not fully account for how sick patients were when they arrived. The most complex patients often wait longest because they require extensive investigations, specialist reviews and difficult decisions.
However it must be accepted that long waits contribute to poorer outcomes.
Nearly half a million patients waited more than 24 hours in emergency departments last year. More than half a million waited over 12 hours after the decision to admit had already been made. Hospital bed occupancy remains above levels considered safe for efficient operation, while corridor care has become normalised.
More needs to be done to reduce waiting lists and to look after those who seek help when they need it the most. An investigation is needed into excess deaths. Those in charge of hospital trusts need to be held accountable.
Call us today
If you’re ready to discuss your situation or have any questions please contact Dr Victoria Handley today. Don’t suffer in silence. Call FREE on 0800 470 2009 or email vhandley@handleylaw.co.uk