Overview

• The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) reports a record 1.15 million patients aged 60+ endured 12-hour A&E waits in England in 2024, up from 991,068 in 2023.
• Older patients are disproportionately affected, with the likelihood of extended waits rising from 15% for those aged 60–69 to 33% for those 90 and older.
• RCEM’s Quality Improvement Programme found critical gaps in care, with only 16% of patients over 75 screened for delirium, 48% for falls risk, and 56% for frailty.
• Medical leaders warn these delays represent a severe threat to patient safety and urge mandatory “front door frailty screening” in all A&E departments.
• The Department of Health and Social Care pledges £26 billion in NHS funding, a 10-year plan, and measures to reduce waiting times, but systemic challenges persist.