The NHS is currently facing significant winter pressures, with critical incidents declared at multiple hospitals across the UK by Wednesday.
In anticipation of a day of special coverage, the BBC has interviewed nurses working in A&Es to discuss the high demand.
“Patients are collapsing in the waiting room. It’s just hectic,” shared Lorraine, a nurse in Birmingham, during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday.
Joanne, a nurse from Manchester, mentioned that similar situations are occurring in emergency wards nationwide, emphasizing the desperate state of A&Es.
She urged the government to take urgent action to address the situation and provide necessary assistance.
Lorraine, a night-shift nurse in Birmingham, highlighted the challenges faced by elderly patients and pensioners in the system.
She described the lack of beds leading to patients waiting in corridors, with 58 patients experiencing this on a nightly basis in her ward.
Lorraine emphasized the chaos inside wards, with an overflow of ambulances outside due to the limited space in hospitals.
Furthermore, she expressed sympathy for paramedics who are forced to hold patients on board ambulances due to the lack of available beds.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited a hospital in London to propose collaboration with the private healthcare sector to alleviate waiting times for appointments.
However, nurses like Lorraine believe he should witness the reality of current emergency wards firsthand.
On Wednesday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his shame over the crisis of patients waiting in hospital corridors, acknowledging that the situation may not improve soon.
NHS officials attributed the strain on the hospital system to a surge in flu cases, resulting in thousands of daily reports.
Lorraine, reflecting on her recent experience in Birmingham, highlighted the long waiting times and challenges faced by staff working extended shifts without breaks.
She mentioned the backlog in emergency care putting pressure on specialist teams awaiting surgeries and other operations.
The situation has led to confrontations with patients in waiting rooms seeking urgent care and results, adding to the stress for healthcare workers.
Despite the difficulties, Lorraine expressed her commitment to helping those in need and approaching each shift positively.