East London A&Es see spike in corridor care waits 2025

Key Points

• NHS England data reveals a 50% increase in patients experiencing corridor care waits over 12 hours at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) A&Es since July 2025.
• In October 2025, 949 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E corridors at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, and King George Hospital, Goodmayes.
• This number shows steady monthly increases from July (612), August (677), and September (772).
• October 2025 was recorded as the busiest October ever for BHRUT, with 31,072 total A&E attendances and 8,904 emergency admissions.
• BHRUT Chief Executive Matthew Trainer described ongoing long waits, crowding, and corridor care as symptoms of unprecedented demand and apologised to patients.
• Corridor care waits of over 12 hours have risen 26% compared with the same time last year.
• The trust experienced a severe winter surge in January 2024, with 1,064 patients waiting over 12 hours, prompting a £35 million government-funded campaign to upgrade Queen’s Hospital A&E.

Why are corridor care wait times increasing at East London A&Es?

As reported by Romford Recorder, based on NHS England data, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) has seen a significant increase in the number of emergency patients forced to wait in corridors for over 12 hours. The latest figures show that in October 2025, 949 patients endured waits exceeding 12 hours to be admitted after arriving at the emergency departments at Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Goodmayes.

This marks an alarming 50 percent rise from July’s figure of 612 patients, with a clear upward trend throughout the months: August recorded 677 patients, while September saw 772. Overall emergency admissions across the trust reached 8,904 in October, amid 31,072 total attendances to A&E, underscoring the extraordinary demand facing the trust’s emergency services.

What does BHRUT leadership say about the situation?

Matthew Trainer, the Chief Executive of BHRUT, described October 2025 as the “busiest October ever” for the trust in an interview with the Romford Recorder. He acknowledged the intense pressure on hospital resources and expressed sincere apologies to patients affected by long waits and corridor care.

“We have had our busiest October ever, with more than 31,000 people coming to A&E—50 people a day more than this time last year,”

Mr Trainer stated.

“Our hospitals have struggled to cope with the demand. I know our patients and staff have had to put up with long waits, crowding and corridor care, and I am sorry about this.”

How does the current situation compare to last year and previous records?

The number of patients waiting more than 12 hours in corridors has jumped 26 percent compared to the same period last year, highlighting a worsening trend in emergency department delays at BHRUT.

The trust previously faced a “particularly bad winter” in January 2024, when a spike in A&E attendances saw a record 1,064 patients endure waits exceeding 12 hours. This surge prompted local media coverage and further national attention, illustrating longstanding capacity challenges.

What measures are being taken to address corridor care at BHRUT?

Following the 2024 winter surge highlighted by the Romford Recorder, a government-backed campaign was launched, successfully securing £35 million in funding aimed at transforming the Queen’s Hospital emergency department.

This major investment is part of long-term plans designed to improve patient flow, reduce waiting times, and enhance overall A&E care. While immediate pressures continue—as the latest rise in corridor waits demonstrates—trust officials emphasise their commitment to addressing both current and future demands through infrastructure and process improvements.

How does the increase in corridor care impact patients and staff?

The rise in patients waiting for more than 12 hours in corridors represents a significant challenge not only for those awaiting care but also for hospital staff facing overcrowded and stressful environments daily.

Extended waits in corridors can compromise patient privacy, dignity, and timely medical intervention. Meanwhile, healthcare staff are stretched thin responding to heightened patient volumes under difficult conditions, affecting morale and operational efficiency.

What do the figures mean for the wider NHS system in East London?

The increasing corridor care times at BHRUT reflect broader pressures affecting emergency services in East London and nationally. Factors such as population growth, seasonal illness spikes, workforce shortages, and delayed discharges from hospitals contribute to the operational strain.

Efforts to improve emergency care capacity require coordinated action across NHS trusts, community health services, and social care providers to ease hospital congestion and meet increasing demand effectively.