The Rise of Corridor Care: A New Challenge for NHS Trusts

In a startling revelation, an investigation by The BMJ finds that corridor care is fast becoming a norm in A&E departments across England. With eight out of ten NHS trusts adapting their spaces and staffing to treat patients in makeshift areas—ranging from corridors to waiting rooms—this practice, originally intended for emergency situations, now appears to be embedded in regular hospital operations.

According to Freedom of Information requests, among 115 NHS trusts with major A&E departments, 69 have confirmed treating patients outside designated treatment areas. The aggregation of data indicates that 532,018 patients received care in such temporary locations during the 2024-2025 period. Approximately 3.1% of total A&E attendances involved corridor care, a reflection of alarming operational adaptations.

Is Corridor Care the New Normal?

It is essential to understand the implications of this shift. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) reported that in November last year, nearly one in five patients admitted to hospitals faced lengthy waits, often in hallways. Senior experts, including those at the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, have voiced serious concerns regarding the safety and dignity of patients awaiting care in such environments. Reports of individuals experiencing cardiac arrests in corridor settings and end-of-life conversations occurring in full view of other patients highlight profound ethical dilemmas.

Despite government commitments to end the practice, health authorities have struggled to eradicate corridor care, revealing a significant disconnect between policy and practice. Health Secretary Wes Streeting had previously vowed to banish corridor care, indicating the ongoing struggle to deliver the high standards of care that patients deserve.

Consequences of Corridor Care

The normalization of corridor care raises pressing questions about patient dignity, safety, and the quality of care provided. Health professionals such as Mumtaz Patel have prominently criticized this approach, stating that it fails to honor the basic tenets of patient care. Conversely, the Royal College of Nursing has emphasized that prolonged reliance on corridor care compromises both patient safety and nurses' ability to deliver focused attention. This situation exacerbates stress on healthcare professionals already operating in high-pressure environments.

Factors like staffing shortages and inadequate facilities amplify these challenges. Some trusts have resorted to recruiting or designating nurses specifically for corridor care, reflecting a troubling trend of embedding this practice into the fabric of operational health care, rather than addressing its root causes.

Health Risks and Ethical Dilemmas

This pervasive practice does not come without risks. Corridor care settings often compromise crucial infection control measures, exposing patients to heightened risks of healthcare-associated infections. Lynn Woolsey, Chief Nursing Officer at the Royal College of Nursing, reinforces this perspective by illustrating how the ability to ensure a clean and safe environment significantly deteriorates in corridor settings.

The emotional and psychological toll on both patients and staff cannot be overstated. Waiting for treatment in a corridor prolongs anxiety and uncertainty for patients and hinders the ability of staff to provide empathetic, person-centered care. Patients deserve privacy and respect, yet corridor care strips away these basic elements of dignity.

Future Directions for NHS Trusts

Psychologists and health experts assert that a systematic reevaluation of care delivery models is essential. Efforts to rehabilitate corridor care practices necessitate multifactorial strategies that address systemic issues like bed shortages, staffing levels, and increased patient throughput. It's paramount that NHS Trusts work collaboratively with government and health organizations, committing to strategies that prioritize patient-centered care, safety, and dignity.

As the NHS grapples with these challenges, the call for transparency in reporting corridor waits and improving frontline care remains essential. Collaboration, communication, and comprehensive policy adjustments must coincide to prevent corridor care from becoming a permanent fixture in UK healthcare.

Ultimately, addressing the systemic issues surrounding corridor care could lay the foundation for a more sustainable, empathetic healthcare system where patient dignity is non-negotiable. The healthcare community must rally together to not only eradicate corridor care but to transform the conditions that make such a practice necessary.

Take Action: Advocate for Change

If you or someone you know has been affected by corridor care, consider advocating for policy changes at your local NHS Trust. Engaging with your MP and health advocacy groups can help amplify concerns about this urgent issue and promote the vision of a more compassionate healthcare system.