Almost 20% of patients in British A&E departments are currently being treated in inappropriate areas like corridors, raising concerns about potential overcrowding this winter. A recent analysis by the NHS found that 17.7% of patients were receiving care in unconventional spaces such as corridors, waiting rooms, and ambulances waiting to offload for more than 15 minutes. Corridor care, which was normalized by NHS England in 2022, is now being addressed by Health Secretary Wes Streeting to end this practice before the upcoming general election.
Conducted by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), a study examined data from 165 A&E departments in March 2025, encompassing over 10,000 patients. Dr. Ian Higginson, president of RCEM, expressed concern over the prevalence of corridor care, emphasizing its harmful impact on patients, especially vulnerable individuals. The long-standing issue of corridor care has been exacerbated by a decade of NHS funding constraints and the challenges brought by the Covid pandemic.
Dr. Higginson highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that corridor care poses a year-round challenge and anticipates further strain during the winter months. The Emergency Medicine Journal published the study, emphasizing the pressing need to address the issue promptly to prevent potential gridlock in emergency departments.
A former patient, Emma Powell, shared her distressing experience of being left on a beanbag in an A&E corridor during a mental health crisis. Her accounts shed light on the inadequate facilities and challenges faced by patients in need of urgent care. The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England both acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasizing the commitment to eliminate corridor care and improve patient outcomes.
Efforts are underway to address the issue of corridor care, with a focus on enhancing patient care, reducing wait times, and ensuring a safer environment in emergency departments. The commitment to ending corridor care reflects a broader initiative to enhance the overall quality of healthcare services in the UK.