An analysis of data from the British Medical Journal reveals that over 13,000 patients in England experienced waits exceeding three days in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments last year, with 493,751 patients waiting more than 24 hours. The number of patients enduring waits of at least a day has increased by a third since 2023, although 72-hour waits have decreased from a 2023 peak. Experts warn that these prolonged delays, particularly the "phenomenon of the last few years" involving 24-hour waits, are occurring across all trusts and are directly linked to increased patient harm and mortality. While the NHS is reforming its urgent and emergency care system, doctors express shame over the undignified and unsafe conditions patients face, emphasizing the urgent need for substantial change beyond current small steps.