A report from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine estimates 1,032 excess deaths in Northern Ireland in 2025 linked to waits of 12 hours or more in hospital emergency departments while awaiting admission.

The State of Emergency Medicine in Northern Ireland report notes this figure is slightly lower than 1,122 in 2024 and 1,063 in 2023. It has more than doubled over five years from 461 in 2020. In 2016, the estimate stood at 60 excess deaths.

The report states patient attendances at emergency departments have remained stable, yet long waits and associated deaths have increased sharply. In 2025, 8.3% of patients waited 24 hours or longer. A December 2025 RCEM survey recorded one wait exceeding 124 hours in a department.

Recommendations to the Northern Ireland Executive call for ending corridor care and related mortality by decade's end. They advocate a system-wide strategy to reduce overcrowding, with performance accountability across the patient pathway.

Further measures include treating excess deaths from long waits with equivalent seriousness to those in other medical fields.

Dr Michael Perry, Northern Ireland vice president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, described the issue as one requiring urgent action. He stated successive governments have not adequately addressed the crisis and emphasized it remains solvable through known steps.

A Department of Health spokesperson acknowledged pressures in emergency departments. The spokesperson outlined a reset plan over three years focused on prevention, neighbourhood care, and reducing admissions. The plan aims to shift frail elderly care closer to home.

The spokesperson noted financial challenges delay impacts but affirmed priority on patient and staff needs. The health minister discussed patient flow and discharges with HSC chief executives, who agreed community capacity expansion is essential.