- A study of over 19,000 adult patients across 134 emergency departments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has revealed that overcrowding in A&E significantly increases the risk of patient mortality.
- Presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress by Dr Ryan McHenry, the research established that every 10 per cent rise in emergency department occupancy increases a patient's 28-day risk of death by 1 per cent.
- The data indicated that emergency departments were operating at an average occupancy rate of 175 per cent, which Dr McHenry estimated contributes to approximately 550 excess deaths each week.
- Dr Ian Higginson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, warned that patients are dying due to overcrowding and urged UK governments to act urgently to address the crisis and protect staff.
- The Department of Health and Social Care responded by highlighting a £1.5 billion investment in hospital facilities and outlining plans to end corridor care by deploying expert teams and expanding community care.
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