Over 13,000 Patients Waited More Than Three Days in England’s A&E Departments in 2025

New BMJ analysis reveals extreme delays in emergency care, with nearly half a million patients spending over 24 hours waiting for treatment.

A shocking new analysis reveals the true scale of Britain’s A&E crisis. More than 13,000 patients waited at least three days for emergency treatment in England’s hospitals during 2025, according to exclusive data published by The BMJ.

The figures paint a grim picture of our NHS under unprecedented strain. Nearly half a million patients – 493,751 to be exact – spent over 24 hours in Type 1 A&E departments last year before being admitted, transferred or discharged.

That’s a staggering increase from 2023, when 377,986 patients endured day-long waits.

The Numbers Behind the Crisis

The BMJ’s analysis of NHS England data shows these aren’t isolated incidents. In January 2026 alone, 66,847 patients spent a whole day in A&E – nearly one in every 20 people who walked through those doors. Of those, 9,379 waited more than 48 hours.

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These extreme waits have become a post-pandemic reality that was almost unheard of before COVID-19. What started as an emergency response has morphed into a year-round crisis affecting the most vulnerable patients – often those with complex conditions who find themselves stuck in hospital corridors.

The data reveals some seasonal variation, but the underlying trend is deeply concerning. April 2025 saw 38,765 patients wait over 24 hours, while May recorded 36,609 – both figures more than double the levels seen in January 2022.

Even the recent “improvement” tells a worrying story. Even as 72-hour waits dropped from a peak of 19,579 in 2023 to 13,386 last year, the overall picture has worsened markedly.

The Human Cost

Behind these statistics lie real people facing genuine medical emergencies. Experts quoted in The BMJ warn that extreme waits cause measurable patient harm, with mortality risks increasing after just six or 12 hours in A&E.

The situation has become so dire that some patients report they’d rather die at home than endure prolonged suffering in emergency departments.

NHS England maintains its commitment to the four-hour standard, targeting treatment for 76% of patients within that timeframe. The target was briefly met in February 2026, but systemic pressures from capacity shortages continue to challenge the health service.

Why Kent Feels the Impact

Local hospitals including Medway Maritime Hospital and those run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust contribute to these national figures. Kent’s A&E departments face the same pressures mirroring the England-wide crisis.

NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board oversees services that are clearly strained by similar delays, directly increasing risks for residents needing urgent care across our county.

Key Takeaways

13,386 patients waited three days or more in England’s A&E departments during 2025

Nearly 500,000 patients spent over 24 hours in emergency care, up by a third from 2023

January 2026 saw almost one in 20 A&E attendances result in day-long waits

What This Means for Kent Residents

Kent families need to plan carefully for medical emergencies, understanding that A&E waits have reached crisis levels across the county. Before heading to emergency departments at Dartford, Gravesend, Margate or other local hospitals, check live wait times through the NHS app and consider whether NHS 111 might be more appropriate for non-life-threatening conditions. For genuine emergencies, don’t delay seeking help – but be prepared for potentially lengthy waits and bring essentials like medications, phone chargers and snacks if you’re accompanying someone to A&E.

Published: 23 April 2026

Source: @bmj_latest on X. This article has been researched and rewritten with editorial balance by Kent Local News.