Call for 12-hour legal limit for A&E waits

The Liberal Democrats have called for the legal right for patients to be seen within 12 hours in A&E.

Helen Morgan (c) UK Parliament

Helen Morgan (c) UK Parliament

The calls came as the party revealed 31,000 people sat in A&E for over 12 hours in 2025, including 2,309 people over 75.

In addition, over 5,306 people were forced to wait in a hospital chair for over 24 hours, with some waiting for over eight days.

The Government this week rejected a Lib Dem Health Bill amendment that would have placed a duty on the health secretary to end corridor care within 12 months.

Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, Helen Morgan, said: ‘Nobody should have to spend over 12 hours in a waiting room. It is shocking that the Government would not commit to ending the corridor care crisis. Liberal Democrats have set out our plans to end corridor care within a year, and will continue to push the Government to restore people's privacy, dignity and faith in the NHS.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Despite this summer being the busiest on record for A&E services, the NHS saw three quarters of patients within four hours in August. But we know there's much more to do to tackle the longest waits, both for patients and their carers.

‘That's why we are sending expert teams into struggling trusts, expanding urgent treatment centres and reducing delayed discharges, helping more patients get timely care in the right setting.

‘This week, we also announced more than £1.5bn of investment to improve NHS buildings and facilities, helping hospitals cope with pressure all year round.'

 

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