Death risk doubles for long A&E waits

Patients who spent more than 12 hours in A&E were twice as likely to die within 30 days as those treated, transferred or discharged within two hours, a landmark study has found.

From April to December this year there have been over 1.2 million instances of patients spending 12 hours or longer in A&E – a 19% rise on the same period the year before. Twelve-hour waits from arrival were relatively rare until recent years, and data was not previously published by NHSE.

The study revealed that, for patients who spent 12 hours or more in the department, the risk of post-discharge death was 2.1 times higher than those who spent two hours or less.

Mortality was 1.9 times higher for those who spent nine hours in A&E, 1.6 times for those who spent six hours, and 1.1 times for three hour stays, the ONS found.

The study also discovered the risk of death after 12 hours stays was greatest for older patients, those in the North East of England, those who presented with airway and breathing difficulties, and those who were admitted to inpatient care. 

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Source: HSJ, 17 January 2025