Corridor Care Crisis report 2025
The new 'normal' in UK hospitals post 'pandemic.'
Warning: The report contains some harrowing details.
Introduction
The RCN asked members to respond to a short survey at the end of December. Thousands of nursing staff responded, confirming corridor care is widespread across the UK. What you will read is raw, unedited and unredacted as it should – and needs to be.
‘‘No access to safety critical facilities like oxygen, suction or monitoring equipment. Fire escapes blocked. Patients having diagnoses and discussions in public, and being treated, fed, washed and toileted – and sadly even dying – with no privacy. Staff across health and social care at breaking point as professionals and as people, knowing they cannot give patients and families the care and dignity they deserve.’’
…Most shocking is this situation now being accepted as the norm.’’
-Professor Nicola Ranger -Chief Executive, Royal College of Nursing
I will focus my attention on highlighting the Scottish responses but comments are shared by nursing staff for all four nations of the UK.
‘‘As a nurse I felt that I had failed every single patient under my care.’’
‘‘Patients are not being cared for in an appropriate manner and things like sepsis not be treated in appropriate time frames.’’
‘‘These are patients who have not yet seen a doctor, who could be very unwell or waiting with painful injuries. They can deteriorate quickly and the staffing is not adequate to keep these patients safe.’’
‘‘The elderly are helplessly ending up with delirium.’’
‘‘As a staff nurse of over 10yrs and now a paramedic of 4yrs I have never experienced such a broken system, patients are lying for hours in ambulances where no further care can be provided. I worked through COVID-19 this lack of care in a broken system is worse…people are dying as a result of ambulances being held at hospitals. This has to end NOW!’’
Link to full 460 report here.
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Having to put out adverts for Corridor Care nurses shows how ingrained is this unacceptable practice. A relative (76) was admitted to a hospital in NW England for further treatment post PE and stent. In a bed along acorridor with other patients. There was little attention/ oversight. The wife had to make sure he was given water and the meds he needed. A nurse said she wasn't sure when he had last had his meds given!
The NHS seems to be beyond breaking point since the 'pandemic'. One wonders what exactly are Trusts and Managers actually managing? Failing in plain sight and seemingly intent on protecting their positions whilst asking for more money.
The GP system has been ruined ( under Tory and Labour govts), more people going straight to A&E than ever before. That needs to be addressed so that people have access and trust in the local GP/Medical Centre. Many people who find the new systems a barrier, delay ( are delayed) treatment and end up as A&E patients.
Hancock's big promotion (while he was lining himself up in 2019 to be the next leader of the Tory Party) was 'telemedicine'. It was the future! Virtual appointments making a significant contribution....no. The new technology is also predicated on reliable energy...is that guaranteed as Milliband degrades the energy infrastructure. "The problem is this doctor. I have a........" Connection lost!
No wonder so many medics are demoralised, as well as the patients they have to care for with as high standards as possible.
I was witness to the mayhem often experienced in the A&E department. Just two years ago my friend was experiencing a serious neurological condition and we had to visit the hospital for her to be "urgently" seen by a doctor. 16 hours later she was still in casualty although thankfully she had eventually been placed on a trolley. The seats in Glasgow Royal Infirmary casualty were fixed to the floor and made of metal with no softness, I had to use my coat for her to sit on to make it slightly more softer for her. I cannot describe the scene around me it was full of people ill and distressed. It was mayhem, I had a woman next me collapse on the floor in distress. I will never forget that experience and I am in dread that I will require emergency care in the future.