NI: 1,032 Excess Deaths in 2025 Linked to Long ED Waits

The Stormont executive is urged to address the "catastrophe" in Northern Ireland's hospital emergency departments (EDs). A Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) report stated that 1,032 excess deaths in 2025 were associated with waits of 12 or more hours in EDs while awaiting admission. While the 2025 death figure is slightly lower than 2024 (1,122) and 2023 (1,063), the estimated mortality figure has more than doubled over five years from 461 in 2020. In 2016, there were 60 excess deaths attributed to long waits.

The report contends that overcrowding and long ED waits are not due to increased demand. In 2025, 8.3% of patients waited 24 hours or longer, and a December 2025 RCEM survey found one ED recorded a wait time of over 124 hours. The report recommends ending corridor care and mortality associated with long ED waits by the end of the decade, adopting a "whole-system approach to ending ED overcrowding", and ensuring accountability.

Dr Michael Perry, RCEM Northern Ireland vice president, called for the situation to be treated as a "catastrophe". He stated that Northern Ireland has the highest rates of long ED waits and related deaths per capita in the UK. A Department of Health spokesperson acknowledged the pressures on EDs, stating that the only medium to long term solution is to reduce and manage demand differently. The department's reset plan aims to refocus work towards earlier support, prevention, and neighborhood-based care.

The Department of Health also stated that increasing community capacity is the most important single change required.