Startling NHS A&E Trends: Hunger Surges 218%, Medical Mishaps Top 100K Admissions
Lack of food has become the biggest growth area in A&E admissions in England, with figures more than tripling since 2018.
Hungry patients are overwhelming NHS emergency departments at unprecedented levels, reveals a new study. Personalised medical bracelet specialists at The ID Band Company have analysed NHS Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity data to identify England’s fastest-growing causes of A&E admissions, and discovered that admissions for starvation have soared by a staggering 219% since 2018.
The 10 fastest-growing A&E admission causes in England (2018-2024)
| Rank | External Cause Description | 2018-19 admissions | 2023-24 admissions | Percentage change |
| 1 | Lack of food | 70 | 230 | 218.5% |
| 2 | Environmental-pollution-related condition | 16 | 48 | 190.8% |
| 3 | Other misadventures during surgical and medical care | 1,418 | 4,094 | 179.9% |
| 4 | Other medical procedures causing abnormal reaction | 40,881 | 103,295 | 144.9% |
| 5 | Physical medicine devices associated with adverse incidents | 26 | 65 | 142.4% |
| 6 | Cardiovascular devices associated with adverse incidents | 325 | 775 | 131.2% |
| 7 | Gastroenterology and urology devices associated with adverse incidents | 323 | 764 | 129.3% |
| 8 | Other and unspecified vaccines and biological substances | 2,060 | 4,430 | 108.5% |
| 9 | Obstetric and gynaecological devices associated with adverse incidents | 196 | 420 | 107.7% |
| 10 | Unspecified threat to breathing | 376 | 717 | 84.9% |
Just 70 patients needed emergency care for hunger back in 2018-19, but the figure shot up to 230 cases by 2023-24, a 218.5% increase. This dramatic spike raises serious questions about growing food poverty in England.
Environmental pollution victims have also surged, with A&E visits jumping 190.8% over six years. Patient numbers tripled from a mere 16 cases to 48 between 2018 and 2024, pointing to increasing health risks from our surroundings.
Surgical errors caused the third-highest jump, with emergency figures rising 179.9%. NHS records show 1,418 patients needed urgent treatment after medical mishaps in 2018-19, compared to 4,094 in 2023-24.
Adverse reactions to standard medical procedures saw the biggest actual increase, with cases rising from 40,881 to 103,295 over the analysed period – the largest volume across all emergency causes. This equates to an overwhelming 144.9%.
Physical medicine device failures rose by 142.4%, while cardiovascular equipment issues saw a 131.2% surge. Malfunctions in stomach and urinary system devices also place among the leading causes of A&E admissions, with figures climbing 129.3% since 2018.
Reactions to vaccines triggered 108.5% more emergency visits, going from 2,060 admissions in 2018-19 to 4,430 in 2023-24.
Complications related to women’s health devices rose by 107.7%, with 420 cases recorded in 2023-24, while breathing emergencies completed the top ten with an 84.9% rise, increasing from 376 to 717 admissions.
The bottom 10 A&E admission causes in England (2018-2024)
| Rank | External Cause Description | 2018-19 admissions | 2023-24 admissions | Percentage change |
| 1 | Occupant of pick-up truck injured in collision with railway | 216 | 0 | -100% |
| 2 | Assault by rifle, shotgun and larger firearm discharge | 56 | 17 | -70.6% |
| 3 | Occupant of heavy transport vehicle injured in collision | 53 | 24 | -56.1% |
| 4 | Drowning and submersion while in swimming-pool | 59 | 27 | -55.6% |
| 5 | Accidental poisoning by organic solvents | 449 | 218 | -52.9% |
| 6 | Other and unspecified firearm discharge | 47 | 24 | -50.5% |