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

The State of Emergency Medicine in Northern Ireland report records 1,122 such deaths in 2024 and 1,063 in 2023. The 2025 figure more than doubles the 461 recorded in 2020. In 2016 the estimate was 60.

Patient attendances at emergency departments stayed stable while long waits rose. In 2025, 8.3% of patients waited 24 hours or longer. A December 2025 RCEM survey found one wait over 124 hours in an emergency department.

The report urges the Northern Ireland Executive to end corridor care and related deaths by 2030. It calls for a system-wide plan to cut overcrowding with performance measures across the patient pathway.

It seeks accountability for reducing overcrowding. Excess deaths from long waits should receive treatment equal to those in other medical areas.

Dr Michael Perry, Northern Ireland vice president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, called for urgent steps. He said past governments failed to resolve the issue but solutions exist through established actions.

A Department of Health spokesperson recognised pressures in emergency departments. The spokesperson described a three-year reset plan for prevention, local care, and fewer admissions. It targets care for frail elderly nearer home.

The spokesperson cited financial limits slowing progress but stressed focus on patients and staff. The health minister met HSC chief executives on patient flow and discharges. They agreed expanding community capacity is key.