Croydon A&E waits rise 52% since 2021 as CQC flags care risks
Patients at Croydon University Hospital now spend an average of 390 minutes in A&E, up from 257 minutes four years ago
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Patients at Croydon University Hospital’s A&E department are spending nearly two-thirds longer in the unit than they did four years ago. The average wait time has risen from 257 minutes in 2021 to 390 minutes in 2025, an increase of 51.8%. The figures were obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service through a freedom of information request.
The rise coincides with a 16.2% increase in annual attendances, from 133,611 in 2021 to 155,245 in 2025. Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said the longer stays are due to more complex patient needs and delays in discharging patients to other care settings.
Croydon A&E waits rise 52% as CQC rates service 'Requires Improvement'
Patients at Croydon University Hospital spent an average of 390 minutes in A&E in 2025, up from 257 minutes in 2021
CQC inspection finds waits of up to 127 hours
In June 2025, the Care Quality Commission rated the hospital’s A&E department as ‘Requires Improvement’. Inspectors found patients waited between 34 and over 127 hours during an unannounced visit in March. The longest waits affected adults in mental health crisis, some of whom were left in unsuitable environments that risked worsening their condition.
The CQC also criticised the routine use of ‘corridor care’, where patients are treated in areas without privacy. Inspectors noted that safeguarding training for staff fell short of the Trust’s 90% target. Despite these concerns, 89% of patients said they were treated with respect and dignity, and 95% said they felt listened to by doctors and nurses.
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Trust and councillors disagree on solutions
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said it is taking steps to improve patient flow. Measures include expanding Same Day Emergency Care and frailty services to reduce overnight stays. The Trust also said it is investing in workforce development and digital technology to better manage capacity.
These figures highlight pressures across the entire health and care system rather than simply within the hospital itself.
West Thornton Labour councillors Janet Campbell, Rym Daoud and Stuart King
Labour councillors for West Thornton, where the hospital is located, said the figures reflect long-standing pressures. They argued that expanding A&E alone will not solve the problem. Instead, they called for a ‘whole-system approach’ that includes investment in adult social care, community mental health services, and measures to address housing and poverty.
The councillors also highlighted the impact of rising A&E attendances on local infrastructure. They said roads, parking and public transport in West Thornton are under increasing pressure, particularly at peak times. They acknowledged the ‘extraordinary work’ of NHS staff but said the system is struggling to keep up with demand.
What happens next
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said it will continue to implement measures to improve patient flow and reduce discharge delays. It is unclear when the CQC will next inspect the A&E department. The Trust has not announced a timeline for further expansion of the A&E facility.
West Thornton councillors said they will push for greater integration between health and social care services. They did not specify what steps they will take to address the wider determinants of health, such as housing and poverty.
Questions this report answers
+How long are patients waiting in Croydon A&E?
Patients at Croydon University Hospital’s A&E now wait an average of 390 minutes, up from 257 minutes in 2021. The Care Quality Commission found some patients waited up to 127 hours during its March 2025 inspection.
+Why are A&E waits getting longer in Croydon?
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said longer waits are due to more complex patient needs and delays in discharging patients. Annual A&E attendances have also risen by 16.2% since 2021, increasing pressure on the department.
+What did the CQC find during its inspection?
The Care Quality Commission rated Croydon University Hospital’s A&E ‘Requires Improvement’ in June 2025. Inspectors found waits of up to 127 hours, concerns over corridor care, and safeguarding training that fell short of the Trust’s 90% target.
+What are the proposed solutions to reduce A&E waits?
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust is expanding Same Day Emergency Care and frailty services. Labour councillors for West Thornton argue that investment in social care and community services is also needed to address the root causes of the problem.
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