Nearly 3,000 patients daily received care in hospital corridors or temporary treatment areas in England last month, according to newly released statistics. This data sheds light on the challenges the NHS faces in addressing what officials deem as “unsafe” and “unacceptable” practices. “Corridor care,” where patients wait over 45 minutes for appropriate care, is set to be eliminated by 2029.
In A&E settings, patients are often placed in corridors, side rooms, or makeshift treatment spaces lacking necessary equipment for safety and dignity. The data from May reveals that on average, 2,241 patients experienced corridor care in A&E daily, while 669 patients faced similar situations on hospital wards. Analysis shows that specific trusts accounted for the majority of corridor care cases both in A&E and elsewhere in hospitals.
Health Secretary James Murray expressed strong disapproval of corridor care, emphasizing the need for immediate action. Additionally, the waiting list for routine hospital treatments in England has increased for the first time in six months, with over 7.22 million treatments pending at the end of April. This marks a regression to February levels following improvements in March.
Tim Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy at the Health Foundation, acknowledged the efforts of NHS staff amidst challenging circumstances, including a heatwave and resident doctors’ industrial action. Urgent and emergency care services faced significant strain in May, with patient wait times falling below interim targets. The latest data underscores the magnitude of corridor care in NHS hospitals, with nearly 3,000 instances daily in May.
Furthermore, two children in England have tragically died from measles this year, highlighting ongoing concerns as measles cases persist in various regions. The UK Health Security Agency reported 736 cases so far this year, with outbreaks primarily in London and the West Midlands, affecting unvaccinated children aged 10 and under.
Efforts to reduce waiting times, eliminate corridor care, and enhance non-hospital care services require a well-equipped and supported NHS workforce. The upcoming workforce plan will play a crucial role in achieving the goals set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.