About 49,000 accident and emergency visits saw patients wait 24 hours or more for a hospital bed in England last year, highlighting the increasing strain on the National Health Service (NHS).
Data compiled by the Liberal Democrats through freedom of information requests revealed that there were 48,830 "trolley waits" lasting 24 hours or longer in 2024, marking a 19.8 percent increase from 2023 with 40,735 cases, and a 57.9 percent rise from 2022 with 30,921 cases.
The issue, reported by British media on Monday, underscores growing delays within the country's healthcare system.
"Trolley waits" occur when patients are forced to wait for an admission decision due to a lack of available beds in accident and emergency visits.
One of the most alarming findings was that the longest recorded trolley wait last year was 235 hours -- equivalent to 10 and a half days -- before a patient was admitted.
People aged 65 or over make up nearly 70 percent of those waiting more than 24 hours. This surge in long waits has raised alarm about the impact on vulnerable populations, especially as demand for urgent care continues to rise.
The Liberal Democrats have sharply criticized the British government's handling of emergency healthcare, calling the situation "heartbreaking."
The party has called for the establishment of a task force to address winter healthcare pressures and for experienced leaders to restructure underperforming hospital trusts, so as to improve services and reduce waiting times.
However, only 54 of the 141 NHS trusts contacted provided complete data, suggesting the actual number of patients facing long waits may be even higher.
49,000 patients wait more than 24 hours for hospital bed in England
49,000 patients wait more than 24 hours for hospital bed in England
49,000 patients wait more than 24 hours for hospital bed in England
