What is the NHS doing to address the A&E corridor care crisis?

The NHS is introducing dedicated areas in A&Es for patients needing extended care and improving triage to redirect individuals to faster treatment options.

What are the main challenges in English A&Es according to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine?

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine states that the primary issues are a lack of hospital beds and insufficient social care to facilitate prompt patient discharge.

What is the target for A&E patient waiting times in England?

The national target is for 95% of A&E patients to be admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours, with an interim target of 78% by March 2026.

Home / Health / NHS A&E Overhaul: Tackling Corridor Care Crisis

NHS A&E Overhaul: Tackling Corridor Care Crisis

10 Feb

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Summary

New A&E areas will manage patients needing extended care.
Changes aim to improve patient experience and reduce deaths.
RCEM states lack of beds and social care remain core issues.

NHS A&E Overhaul: Tackling Corridor Care Crisis

Emergency departments across England are implementing a new operational model to address the critical "corridor care crisis." This initiative introduces dedicated areas within A&Es for patients anticipated to require "extended" care, typically between four to eight hours. The goal is to prioritize those with the most urgent needs and prevent overcrowding, making prolonged waits more bearable, especially for the elderly.

Upon arrival, patients will be triaged, and some may be redirected to alternative same-day clinics for quicker treatment. Senior clinicians will be positioned at the front door to ensure patients receive appropriate care in the right setting, allowing A&E to focus on life-saving interventions. Data indicates that spending over 12 hours in A&E more than doubles the risk of death within 30 days.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, however, points out that this plan addresses only one aspect of a complex issue. They emphasize that the core problems are a shortage of hospital beds and insufficient social care support, which hinder patient discharge and lead to overall hospital occupancy.