A THIRD of Brits who went to A&E last year could not speak to a nurse or doctor for more than an hour after they arrived, the care watchdog has found.
The Care Quality Commission said NHS patient experience got worse on every measure in 2022.
The proportion who faced a long wait to see a medic at a major hospital doubled to 32 per cent, from 15 per cent in 2020 and 19 per cent in 2018.
Almost half of patients – 49 per cent – said they thought staff could have done more to relieve their pain while they waited.
Dr Sean O’Kelly, chief inspector at the CQC, said: “It remains extremely concerning that, for some people, care is falling short.