Corridor care endemic' in UK, doctors say as study reveals scale of problem

"Corridor care is endemic in the UK, doctors have said, as a major study found one in five patients were treated in hallways, offices and cupboards. Millions of patients are enduring undignified and unsafe care, with almost every A&E department in the country deploying the approach routinely, contravening national guidance, research reveals. Amid mass overcrowding and long delays for treatment in hospitals, short-term use of temporary escalation area care has been reported to be widespread. But until now there was no high-quality evidence on its prevalence."

"The study, by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine's (RCEM) trainee emergency research network (Tern), analysed five snapshots taken from 165 A&E departments in March this year. It found 17.7% of patients were receiving care in escalation areas, classed as anywhere not routinely used for care unless capacity in emergency departments is breached. This included corridors, waiting rooms, doubled-up cubicles, offices, cupboards and ambulances waiting outside to offload for more than 15 minutes."

"Dr Ian Higginson, the president of the RCEM, said the study reinforces that the shameful practice of corridor care is endemic in emergency departments in the UK. He added: The stark picture this paper paints reflects the stories we hear from our members nationwide the volume of which are growing as we head into winter. Just this week, one member told us of a patient having to wait two days for a bed in their department. It's important to note that these patients may be elderly, vulnerable, have mental health issues, or be children. They have been failed by successive governments."

One in five emergency patients in the UK are being treated in escalation areas such as corridors, waiting rooms, doubled-up cubicles, offices, cupboards and ambulances waiting to offload. Escalation area use is widespread across almost every A&E department and routinely contravenes national guidance, posing significant patient safety and dignity concerns. Analysis of five snapshots from 165 A&E departments found 17.7% receiving care in non-routine spaces. Patients affected include elderly, vulnerable people, children and those with mental health needs, with some waiting up to two days for a bed amid mass overcrowding and long treatment delays.

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