Accident and Emergency Departments
Commons · Question 16541 · Tabled 7 Jul 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Question
Asked by Lee Anderson
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of long A&E wait times on older patients.
Answer
Answered by Karin Smyth, 16 Jul 2026
We recognise that emergency departments face sustained demand and that prolonged waits can affect patient experience, clinical outcomes, and the timely delivery of care, particularly for older people and those with complex health needs. To improve capacit...