Queen’s Hospital A&E was designed in 2006 to care for around 325 patients a day. Today, we regularly see more than double that number.

March 2026 was our busiest month on record, with 31,214 attendances – with a daily average of more than 1000 attendances across our hospitals. This level of demand has real consequences – long waits, overcrowding, and at times, patients being cared for in corridors particularly at Queen's.

The work already underway

Despite these challenges, our teams have been working on new initiatives to improve patient flow, safety and experience that have meant we provided 10,000 fewer hours of corridor care in February compared with the same month the year before.

These included a new initial assessment process in ED that has reduced time to assessment by 37 minutes; and a dedicated frailty line for GPs, care homes and the London Ambulance Service – which saw calls to the line increase from 28 to 114 over a 9 month period. Our Frailty SDEC (same day emergency care) which allows specialists to assess, diagnose and treat patients on the same day of arrival who would otherwise have been admitted to hospital has been supported by a pilot seeing frail, elderly patients earlier in A&E before transfer. We also have a medical SDEC.

During a visit in April, Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised the 'dramatic' change our teams have made.

Fiona Wheeler, our Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, said:

“This was a great opportunity to show Wes Streeting the changes we’ve made to improve patient care in our A&E at Queen’s hospital.

“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.”

As Fiona mentions, the reality hasn’t changed. Our A&E is no longer fit for the level of demand it faces.

The current layout makes it harder to monitor patients, manage flow, and provide the environment our patients and staff deserve. 

CEO, Matthew Trainer said:

“We’re grateful to our local MPs for their ongoing support of our campaign to transform A&E at Queen’s Hospital.

“I am confident – in this the year Queen’s turns 20 – that we will receive the £42m needed to develop a modern, fit for purpose department and eradicate corridor care.”