NHS Drive for Clear Corridors Risks 'Car Park Care' Danger

Jason Killens, the chairman of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), has cautioned that the National Health Service's (NHS) push to eradicate "corridor care" could inadvertently create a "car park care" crisis. He expressed concern that without improving overall patient flow through hospitals, clearing emergency department corridors might lead to paramedic crews and their patients being increasingly detained outside.

Killens emphasized that patients waiting for emergency responses in the community face greater risks than those in hospital corridors. His research suggests over 23,000 patients monthly are at risk due to handover delays exceeding one hour. This mirrors concerns from West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS), which reported ambulances being used as temporary wards, increasing pressure on services.

The situation has dire consequences, as seen with David Mann, who died after no ambulances were available for his emergency. On the day of his death, WMAS made 254 requests for hospital acceptance, with 201 refused. Between October and January, over 5,500 patients waited at least six hours in ambulances outside West Midlands hospitals, with over 1,000 facing life-threatening emergencies.

Amid these pressures, Killens also highlighted the benefits of artificial intelligence in reducing paperwork and increasing clinician time with patients. He advocates for a future where the NHS system is designed around patients, eliminating the need for the public to navigate complex entry points like 999 or 111, thus ensuring a "no wrong front door" approach.