18 December 2025
Emergency Departments (EDs) in Wales are under significant strain as new data revealed they experienced the worst November on record for four, eight and 12 hour waits.
It comes as the Royal College of Emergency Medicine urges the government to make addressing the crisis a New Year resolution as extreme waiting times are putting vulnerable patients at risk of significant harm.
The latest performance data released today (18 December 2025) by the Welsh government revealed one in seven patients (10,107) waited 12 hours or more in major EDs to be admitted, discharged or transferred last month (November 2025).
The figures also showed the number of people waiting more than four hours has nearly doubled, the numbers waiting eight hours or more have also more than doubled, and the numbers waiting 12 hours or more have again, doubled, when compared to the same month in 2018.
Meanwhile, 1,455 people were stuck in hospital despite being well enough to leave. That’s an ever so slight improvement of 1.2% compared to November 2024.
It comes as RCEM published its political manifesto last month ahead of the 2026 elections, urging all parties to commit to ending overcrowding in EDs, ensure there’s adequate staffing levels to protect patient safety and to invest in digital infrastructure and ensure greater data transparency.
Dr Rob Perry, RCEM Vice President for Wales, said: “The statistics out today have set yet another record. It’s left me asking ‘when will the record setting end?’
“But these figures reflect what we experienced on the brink of winter. Fast forward to today, the situation in our emergency departments has only deteriorated.
“As you read this, sick and vulnerable patients are on trolleys parked side by side to maximise the space we have in the ED, and in our corridors, enduring these conditions for hours, and hours.
“And the wait will only continue for those needing further care on a ward as an elusive bed is found for them.
“We can’t keep working like this and our patients don’t deserve to be treated cared for in these conditions. The solutions to get patients flowing through the hospital system lie outside the walls of EDs. Social care must be a priority for investment next year to ensure patients can move out of hospital when they are well enough, allowing our patients to move into those beds.
“It’s been an incredibly tough year for those working in Emergency Medicine, who are trying their best to care for patients in beyond challenging conditions. But the worst is yet to come as we head deeper into winter.
“We will get through this as we always do. And to our patients, we will continue to be there for you when you need us most.”