Almost 20% of patients seeking emergency care in British hospitals are now being treated in corridors and other inappropriate spaces, raising concerns of potential congestion this winter.
A recent NHS analysis found that 17.7% of patients were receiving care in unconventional areas like corridors, waiting rooms, overcrowded cubicles, and ambulances waiting outside for extended periods. The normalization of corridor care by NHS England in 2022 was highlighted by the Mirror, prompting Health Secretary Wes Streeting to pledge an end to this practice by the upcoming general election.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s (RCEM) study, examining data from 165 A&E departments in March 2025 involving over 10,000 patients, underscored the prevalence of corridor care in the UK’s emergency departments.
Dr. Ian Higginson, RCEM president, emphasized the endemic nature of corridor care, expressing concerns over the impact on vulnerable patients, including the elderly, those with mental health issues, and children. He warned about the associated risks, citing statistics that show a higher mortality rate for patients facing prolonged emergency department waits.
Years of NHS funding constraints followed by the surge in wait times from 2015 onward, exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, have led to critical delays in emergency care. The decision to normalize caring for patients in temporary spaces like corridors was made in 2022 to expedite ambulance services.
Dr. Higginson, alarmed by the study’s findings, anticipates a worsening situation during the upcoming winter months, emphasizing that corridor care poses a year-round challenge, not just during peak periods.
The Mirror recounted the experience of mental health patient Emma Powell, who spent 24 hours on a beanbag in an A&E corridor during a crisis in 2022. Emma’s distressing encounters in A&E underscored the inadequate conditions faced by patients needing urgent care.
Government officials acknowledge the severity of corridor care, emphasizing its elimination from NHS practices. Efforts are underway to address the issue and improve patient care, with a focus on quicker ambulance responses and smoother hospital handovers.
NHS England echoes the commitment to reducing corridor care instances, emphasizing proactive measures to prevent such scenarios and ensure patient safety and timely care.