In response to Age UK’s new analysis of trolley waits in Emergency Departments in England, Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “These figures, and the heart-wrenching stories from patients, shared by Age UK today are a damning indictment of the state of EDs and reflect the reality that my colleagues and I see each and every day at work.
“They paint an all-too familiar picture of patients stuck, hour after hour, on a trolley, a plastic chair, or a hospital floor.
“An Emergency Department is not a place for a stay which can be measured in days. These are noisy, chaotic and disorienting environments, especially for older people. They deserve better than this – all of our patients do.
“No one should be waiting more than a few hours in an ED, certainly not days, and especially not an older person who is in need of a hospital bed.
“We know older people are more likely to come to us with multiple, complex problems requiring admission, and Age UK’s figures reflect RCEM’s own research which showed that they are far more likely to experience longer waits than younger patients.
“These are some of the most vulnerable people in our society and it’s appalling that they are being let down like this.
“Long trolley waits and so-called ‘corridor care’ are stains on our health system and must be tackled with urgency by policymakers. These unacceptable practises happen because the back door of our hospitals are completely clogged and discharges just aren’t happening quickly enough.
“When these patients are better they must be able to go home, or to a suitable environment to further support them, rather than facing more delays in hospital.
“I was relieved when, late last year, the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care pledged to eliminate corridor care by the end of this parliament.
“We need words to become actions that can help hospitals work more effectively, ensure there are beds when they are needed, and help discharge patients home when they are ready. Otherwise more sick and injured older people will continue to face long, waits in ED with all the consequences that ensue.”