A troubling investigation by the BBC has unveiled that more than 52,000 patients in north-west England endured waits exceeding 24 hours for hospital admission last year, highlighting a devastating trend of “corridor care”. This alarming situation, characterised by patients being treated on trolleys and chairs in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments due to bed shortages, has prompted urgent calls from healthcare professionals for immediate government intervention.
The Scale of the Crisis
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has labelled the current state of affairs a “national emergency”, as healthcare providers grapple with unprecedented demand and inadequate resources. Dr Michael Gregory, the regional medical director for NHS England in the North West, acknowledged the severity of the issue, indicating that the NHS is experiencing its busiest winter on record. “Providing care in corridors is not what we want for our patients,” he stated, emphasising ongoing efforts to reduce the necessity of such practices.
The situation has been exacerbated by a significant increase in patients waiting over 12 hours for admission—a metric that has risen dramatically from 101 cases in December 2018 to over 10,600 by December 2025. This figure represents nearly 18% of A&E patients, with one in five individuals facing extended waits in uncomfortable settings, often without clarity on when they might receive proper care.
A Reality Beyond Numbers
Digging deeper into the statistics reveals an even grimmer reality: a staggering 52,015 patients waited longer than 24 hours for a bed, with 6,893 enduring waits beyond 48 hours. Alarmingly, many of these prolonged waits occurred during the warmer months, challenging the narrative of “winter pressures” often cited by hospitals. In fact, 12,458 patients experienced waits exceeding 24 hours between May and August, indicating that systemic issues persist year-round.
The distressing experiences of patients have been echoed by families who witnessed loved ones suffering due to inadequate support. Reports of patients in discomfort, left unattended for basic needs, have surfaced, underscoring the erosion of dignity in care. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has described the situation as “a national shame,” while the RCN has reiterated calls for an end to corridor care practices.
The Human Cost and Professional Strain
The implications of corridor care extend beyond patient wellbeing to the mental health of healthcare staff. Simon Browes, the North West regional director of the RCN, revealed that many nurses are entering work feeling anxious and overwhelmed. “We’ve had members saying they’re sitting in their car crying before they go into work,” he disclosed, highlighting the emotional toll of an unsustainable work environment.
As corridor care becomes increasingly normalised, staff are assigned specifically to these areas, where they are tasked with monitoring patients in suboptimal conditions. The lack of privacy and adequate facilities not only hampers recovery but also places immense pressure on medical professionals, who are often unable to provide the care they aspire to deliver.
Addressing the Root Causes
The underlying issues contributing to this crisis are multifaceted and largely beyond the control of hospitals. A critical factor is the crisis within social care, which leaves vulnerable, elderly patients stranded in hospital beds due to insufficient community care packages. This backlog significantly hampers the ability of hospitals to admit new patients, creating a bottleneck that exacerbates corridor care.
Moreover, successive governments have attempted to shift healthcare away from hospital-centric models, but the demand for inpatient care continues to escalate. The number of available beds remains markedly lower than two decades ago, highlighting a systemic shortfall in capacity.
In a recent statement, Health Secretary Wes Streeting promised to eliminate corridor care by the end of the current parliamentary term in 2029. However, Browes argues that immediate action is essential, referencing a concerning decline in nursing applications—a drop of over 30% compared to five years ago—alongside unprecedented attrition rates in nursing programmes.
Why it Matters
The persistent issue of corridor care in the NHS is not merely a statistic; it represents a profound failure in the healthcare system that directly impacts patient safety and staff morale. With the rising demand for services and the increasing complexity of patients’ needs, the current state cannot be sustained. Addressing the systemic deficiencies that lead to such crises is not just a matter of policy but a moral imperative. As more patients face the discomfort and indignity of waiting for care in corridors, the urgent need for comprehensive reform becomes ever clearer. The future of healthcare in the UK may hinge on whether these challenges can be effectively met and resolved.
