It was revealed that nearly 50 people a day died in England due to delays in emergency services. NHS staff have warned of the danger as hospitals struggle to cope with a surge in flu cases. Lack of beds and personnel is cited as the reason for the increase in deaths resulting from the delay in the treatment of emergency cases.
Last week, more than 10 hospitals were declared critical cases due to high demand, and many patients were told to go elsewhere. Some had to wait up to two days in the emergency room or were treated in the corridors because there were no beds available.
One in eight patients spent more than 12 hours in the emergency department last month, according to official figures. Long wait times last year are 16 percent higher than in 2023.
Studies show that death rates increase for those who stay in the emergency room for more than 8 to 12 hours. According to estimates by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, 14,000 people will die as a result of emergency service delays in 2023. According to the same calculations, excess deaths from delays last year were estimated at about 16,000.
Last month, 166 thousand 989 patients waited more than 12 hours. This meant nearly 50 extra deaths per day even before the worst stress of the year began.
“We are analyzing the data and, if confirmed, this truly appalling figure should serve as a wake-up call,” college president Adrian Boyle told The Times.