BHRUT A&E Record 1,000 Patients/Day in Redbridge Havering 2026

Key Points

• Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust (BHRUT) recorded its busiest month ever in March for emergency care at Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Ilford.
• An average of 1,000 patients sought urgent and emergency care daily across the two hospitals.
• The single-day peak was 1,003 attendances in November last year.
• Queen’s Hospital A&E handled over 750 patients per day, double its capacity of 325.
• Total patients treated in March: 31,214.
• High demand caused long waits, overcrowding, and corridor care.
• BHRUT campaigns for £42 million to replace the 20-year-old A&E at Queen’s.
• Improvements reduced corridor care hours by 10,000 at Queen’s in February 2026 versus the previous year, saving £150,000 in temporary staffing.
• Ongoing issues with mental health patients waiting too long in A&E.
• Use of crisis assessment hub at Goodmayes Hospital to divert patients.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge (East London Times) April 24, 2026 –Romford and Ilford have faced unprecedented strain on their emergency departments, as Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust (BHRUT) data reveals March as the busiest month on record. An average of 1,000 people sought urgent and emergency care every day at Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Ilford, culminating in 31,214 total attendances. This surge, steadily increasing month on month, has led to long waits, overcrowding, and patients receiving care in corridors, according to the NHS.

What Made March the Busiest Month on Record for BHRUT A&E Departments?

The trust’s figures show attendances peaking at 1,003 in a single day last November, with March marking the highest monthly total yet at 31,214 patients across the two sites.

As reported by Sebastian Mann, local democracy reporter, in his coverage for MyLondon, the NHS highlighted that this level of demand carries “real consequences” for patient care. Queen’s Hospital in Romford bore the brunt, seeing more than 750 patients daily in its A&E—double the department’s designed capacity of 325. BHRUT described the situation as “particularly challenging” at this site.

King George Hospital in Ilford also contributed to the overall figures, though specific daily averages for that location were not broken out in the data release. The trust’s two hospitals together managed the influx, but the pressure tested operational limits.

Why Are A&E Attendances Rising Steadily Month on Month at Queen’s and King George?

BHRUT data indicates a consistent upward trend in attendances, with no single factor isolated in the reports but the cumulative effect pushing March to record levels. Sebastian Mann of MyLondon noted that the trust’s emergency departments have seen numbers climb steadily, reaching the 1,000 daily average.

The highest single-day figure of 1,003 from November last year underscores the ongoing escalation. NHS statements point to broader systemic pressures contributing to this pattern, though local demographic demands in Redbridge and Havering play a role.

What Are the Consequences of High Demand on Patients at BHRUT Hospitals?

Overcrowding has resulted in patients being treated in corridors, alongside extended waiting times. The NHS, as cited by Sebastian Mann in MyLondon, stated that this demand level leads to these “real consequences.”

At Queen’s Hospital, the A&E’s overload—handling over 750 patients against a 325 capacity—exacerbated the issues. BHRUT confirmed corridor care persisted despite efforts to mitigate it.

How Is BHRUT Addressing Corridor Care at Queen’s Hospital?

Staff improvements have yielded results, with 10,000 fewer hours of corridor care at Queen’s in February 2026 compared to the previous year. This reduction saved around £150,000 on temporary staffing costs.

As reported by Sebastian Mann of MyLondon, BHRUT acknowledged these gains but stressed ongoing challenges.

Fiona Wheeler, BHRUT’s chief operating officer and deputy chief executive, said:

“Despite these improvements, the department isn’t fit for purpose which is why we’re campaigning for the £42m we need to transform it for patients and staff.”

The outgoing chief executive, Matthew Trainer, added:

“I am confident we will receive the £42m needed to develop a modern, fit-for-purpose department and eradicate corridor care.”

Why Does Queen’s Hospital Need £42 Million for Its A&E Department?

The A&E at Queen’s is 20 years old, prompting BHRUT’s campaign for £42 million to replace it entirely. Sebastian Mann’s MyLondon article detailed how the trust is actively seeking these funds to build a facility that matches current demands.

Fiona Wheeler emphasised the department’s unsuitability for modern needs, while Matthew Trainer expressed confidence in securing the investment.

What Challenges Do Mental Health Patients Face in BHRUT A&Es?

High numbers of patients with mental health needs have arrived at A&E, facing prolonged waits for appropriate services, the NHS reports. BHRUT noted this as a specific pressure point at both Queen’s and King George.

To alleviate this, staff direct individuals to the crisis assessment hub at Goodmayes Hospital, operated by the North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT). This initiative aims to provide support before patients reach A&E, reducing overall strain.

How Is the Goodmayes Crisis Assessment Hub Helping Reduce A&E Pressure?

The hub at Goodmayes Hospital, run by NELFT, serves as a pre-A&E intervention for mental health cases. BHRUT staff use it to manage patients earlier in the pathway, as per the trust’s statements covered by Sebastian Mann in MyLondon. This approach targets the cohort experiencing long waits in emergency departments.

The record March figures from BHRUT underscore sustained pressures on Romford and Ilford’s emergency services.

With daily averages hitting 1,000 and Queen’s operating at double capacity, the trust’s improvements in corridor care offer some relief, but the call for £42 million investment highlights deeper infrastructure needs. Mental health diversions via the Goodmayes hub represent targeted responses amid the broader demand surge.

Background of the Development

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust (BHRUT) oversees Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Ilford, serving Redbridge, Havering, Barking, and Dagenham.

The trust has managed rising A&E attendances for years, with trends building from previous records like the November peak of 1,003. Corridor care reductions stem from staff efficiencies implemented over the past year, while the £42 million campaign addresses a 20-year-old A&E design unfit for current volumes. Mental health pressures reflect national NHS patterns, prompting partnerships with NELFT’s Goodmayes hub.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Local Residents in Redbridge and Havering

Extended waits and corridor care at Queen’s and King George could prolong treatment times for urgent cases among Redbridge and Havering residents, potentially delaying care for emergencies. Reliance on the Goodmayes hub may ease mental health backlogs but requires residents to access it promptly. Securing £42 million could expand capacity at Queen’s, reducing overcrowding over time, while ongoing high attendances might sustain pressures if trends continue, impacting access for the local population of over 600,000.