THE number of people forced to wait over 12 hours in A&E has soared by more than a third in a year, damning figures have revealed.

More than 47,000 people in England last month endured the half a day wait before being admitted, transferred or discharged, figures show.

A row of ambulances parked outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.By area, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust had the highest number of patients waiting at least 12 hours Credit: SWNS

It marks a 34 per cent rise on July 2025 and is equivalent to 1,530 people every day.

Leading casualty experts said it had now become the norm for patients to wait “far too long in overcrowded emergency departments, corridors and other unsuitable spaces”.

NHS officials today also warned that the service had faced a “ surge”, with a record 2.5 million A&E attendances last month amid two heatwaves.

They urged the public to only use 999 and A&E in an emergency and said the prolonged hot and dry worsening heart and lung conditions and increasing accidents as people spend more time outdoors.

Figures also showed that the number of because no beds are available remained above 3,000 a day for the second month in a row.

An average of 2,300 patients received “corridor care” for more than 45 minutes in emergency departments in last month.

A further 728 patients received care within a ward but not within a designated bed space on average each day, taking the total to 3,028.

By comparison, a total of 3,188 patients received such care in June.

Responding to the latest NHS England figures, Dr Ragit Varia, president-elect of the Society for Acute , said: “From permawinter to permaheat, there is no longer a quiet season for the NHS.

“Month after month, patients are left waiting far too long in overcrowded emergency departments, corridors and other unsuitable spaces.

“The latest figures show that 47,438 patients waited more than 12 hours from the decision to admit to admission in July – up 34 per cent on the same month last year.

“That is 1,530 people every day experiencing delays that should never become normal.

“We agree with the Health and Social Care Secretary that the NHS must now plan for summer pressures as seriously as it plans for .

“But recognition must be followed by action.

“Patients do not need a different place to wait. They need the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“These figures should bring a sharp focus to the new Prime Minister’s first weeks in office.

“Meaningful progress will depend on addressing the fundamentals – staffed beds, workforce, discharge capacity and services that allow patients to move safely through and out of hospital.”

Sarah Scobie, of the Nuffield Trust think-tank, added: “July’s record 2.5m attendances represent a huge amount of pressure for staff and uncomfortable waits for patients in unbearably hot conditions.”

Patients in hospital beds in a closed café.Patients have previously told how they have been treated in hospital corridors and cafes Credit: Cover Images

TIMELINE OF THE NHS WAITING LIST

THE NHS waiting list in England has become a political flashpoint as it has ballooned in recent years, more than doubling in a decade.

The statistics for England count the number of procedures, such as operations and non-surgical treatments, that are due to patients.

The procedures are known as elective treatment because they are planned and not emergencies. Many are routine ops such as for hip or knee replacements, cataracts or kidney stones, but the numbers also include some cancer treatments.

This is how the wait list has changed over time:

August 2007: 4.19million – The first entry in current records.

December 2009: 2.32million – The smallest waiting list on modern record.

April 2013: 2.75million – The Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition restructures the NHS. Jeremy Hunt was Health Secretary.

April 2016: 3.79million – Junior doctors go on strike for the first time in 40 years. Theresa May is elected Prime Minister.

February 2020: 4.57million – The final month before the UK’s first Covid lockdown in March 2020.

July 2021: 5.61million – The end of all legal Covid restrictions in the UK.

January 2023: 7.21million – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledges to reduce waiting lists within a year, by April 2024.

September 2023: 7.77million – The highest figure on record comes during a year hit with strikes by junior doctors, consultants, nurses and ambulance workers.

February 2024: 7.54million – Ministers admit Rishi Sunak’s pledge to cut the backlog has failed.

August 2024: 7.64million – List continues to rise under Keir Starmer’s new Labour Government.

December 2024: 7.46million – The list has fallen for four consecutive months – a glimmer of hope.

May 2025: 7.36m – The lowest for two years, since 7.33m in March 2023.

October 2025: 7.4m – Increased in June, July, August and October.

November 2025: 7.31m – A decline of 86,000 compared to October.

February 2026: 7.22m – Continues to fall, now the lowest since February 2023.

March 2026: 7.11m – now the lowest level since November 2022

April 2026: 7.22m – The first rise in six months

May 2026: 7.28m – Rises by 60,153 meaning it is at its highest level since December 2025

Professor Frankie Swords, NHS National Medical Director, said: “Like many members of the public, NHS staff are enjoying the lovely weather outside of work, but the heat is making day-to-day working more challenging while also driving up pressure on services.

“With temperatures peaking today, please take sensible precautions to stay safe: keep hydrated, avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day especially if you are clinically vulnerable, and check in on older or vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours.

“While the NHS is busy, it is here for anyone who needs it, so please continue to call 999 in a life-threatening emergency and otherwise use NHS 111.”

According to the figures, by area, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust had the highest number of patients waiting at least 12 hours, with 2,187 last month.

This was followed by Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (1,996) and The And Telford Hospital NHS Trust (1,300).

United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, meanwhile reported that 1,217 patients waited for this length of time, with Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust logging 1,203.

By comparison, Sandwell And West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust recorded just two patients waiting at least 12 hours.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Foundation Trust both logged three patients.

Under NHS guidelines, 95 per cent of patients of arriving in A&E, but this target hasn’t been met since 2015.

According to the latest figures for July, just 75.4 per cent of patients are seen to and discharged within four hours.