Doctors Warn: Corridor Care 'Inevitable' as A&Es Overwhelmed

Emergency departments in NHS hospitals are now facing a critical situation known as 'corridor care,' with patient numbers exceeding available treatment bays by more than double. This alarming overcrowding is leading to significant delays, with some patients waiting up to 16 days for a hospital bed. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine highlighted these issues through a survey of 81 A&Es in England.

During a snapshot survey, 7,400 patients were present compared to only 2,970 permanent treatment spaces, a ratio of 2.5 to 1. On January 12, the average longest wait for admission exceeded 48 hours, and one mental health patient had been waiting for 16 days. Almost all (93%) of clinical leads surveyed believed patients were coming to harm due to the conditions in their departments.

The primary driver for this overcrowding is the difficulty in discharging patients who are medically fit to leave, largely due to challenges in arranging social and community care, cited by 93% of respondents. Organisational delays and a lack of alternatives to admission also contribute significantly.

In response, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated that no one should receive care in a corridor and acknowledged staff are under immense pressure. They highlighted investments of £450 million to expand urgent and emergency care services, including new same-day emergency care centres and mental health crisis centres.