Overview
- Researchers presented data from 19,034 adults treated at 134 UK emergency departments in 2025 and reported their findings at the European Emergency Medicine Congress in September 2026.
- Analysis found that for every 10% rise in emergency department occupancy the risk of dying within 28 days rises by about 1%, with study sites operating at an average of roughly 175% occupancy.
- The team extrapolated that overcrowding could be associated with about 554 excess deaths per week across the UK during the study period while stressing a wide plausible range of 33 to 1,083 deaths and important uncertainty.
- Treatment in non‑standard spaces, described as corridor care, showed a similar association with higher short‑term mortality and researchers said occupancy is easier to measure for monitoring risk.
- Professional bodies urged urgent government action to reduce exit block and bed shortages, the DHSC reiterated existing investment and operational support plans, and the researchers published an online risk calculator while calling for more study.