Nearly 3,000 patients daily receive corridor care in NHS, new data reveals
New figures show approximately 2,900 patients per day in England received care in hospital corridors or makeshift areas rather than proper beds during May. The data, published for the first time, highlights a significant capacity challenge the NHS faces, with corridor care defined as waiting more than 45 minutes for appropriate care. The government has pledged to eliminate the practice by 2029, citing it as unsafe and undignified.
According to newly released NHS data, nearly 3,000 patients daily experienced corridor care in English hospitals during May, comprising 2,241 patients in A&E and 669 on wards. Corridor care is defined as patients spending more than 45 minutes waiting for an appropriate place for their care, occurring in corridors, side-rooms, and makeshift treatment areas lacking proper equipment. Health Secretary James Murray acknowledged the practice as unacceptable and undignified, noting that the government is publishing this data for the first time to identify problem areas and direct support to struggling trusts. The figures reveal the scale of NHS capacity challenges, with the vast majority of corridor care concentrated in a small number of organizations. Patient and staff accounts describe significant dignity and safety concerns, including extended waits without proper facilities and inadequate supervision.
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- BBCCenter
Nearly 3,000 patients a day face corridor care in NHS
- BBC Top StoriesCenter
Nearly 3,000 patients a day face corridor care in NHS
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