Healthwatch Highlights Patient Experiences of A&E Delays and Care Settings

A new Healthwatch England blog highlights the severe pressures facing Accident & Emergency departments across England during a busy winter period, where long waits and care in unsuitable spaces have taken an emotional and physical toll on patients.

The insight, drawing on feedback from December 2025, found more than 2.3 million A&E attendances and around 400,000 emergency admissions, with one in four patients waiting over four hours between admission and being allocated a hospital bed. Approximately one in ten waited more than 12 hours.

Healthwatch’s review focused particularly on the experiences of older and frail patients, who are at higher risk of harm when cared for in non-clinical areas such as corridors, chairs or trolleys. Many people described waits exceeding 24 hours in corridors, with reports of trauma, lack of privacy and dignity, and emotional distress. Some patients even left without treatment due to the difficulties they encountered.

The report echoes growing concerns from other health sector bodies about “corridor care” becoming increasingly common, a symptom of systemic workforce and capacity pressures in emergency services.

You can read the full blog here.