A recent investigation by the BBC has unveiled alarming statistics regarding patient care in North West England, revealing that over 52,000 individuals faced waits exceeding 24 hours in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments last year. This disturbing trend, often referred to as “corridor care,” sees patients relegated to trolleys or chairs as hospitals struggle to accommodate them within their wards. The Royal College of Nursing has labelled the situation a “national emergency,” urging immediate governmental action to put an end to such practices.
An Escalating Crisis in Emergency Care
According to the findings, patients frequently find themselves in distressing circumstances, waiting long hours in corridors due to a severe lack of available beds. NHS England has acknowledged that the current winter season is its busiest on record, with hospitals enduring increased demand for several years. Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical director for NHS England in the North West, stated, “Providing care in corridors is not what we want for our patients, and we are working hard to reduce the use of corridor care and tackle long waits.”
The stark reality is underscored by the monthly publication of data revealing the number of patients waiting over 12 hours for a bed following a clinician’s decision to admit them. This clock starts ticking only after the admission decision is made, which can occur hours after a patient first presents at A&E. The figures indicate a dramatic rise: in December 2018, only 101 patients waited over 12 hours in the North West, representing just 0.2% of admissions. By December 2025, this figure had escalated to 10,658, accounting for nearly 18% of A&E admissions.
The Hidden Reality of Extended Waits
Perhaps even more concerning is the revelation that many patients are enduring waits far beyond the 12-hour mark. A Freedom of Information request to all acute hospital trusts in the region revealed that 52,015 patients waited longer than 24 hours for a bed in 2025, with 6,893 of these waiting more than 48 hours. While the NHS often attributes these delays to “winter pressures,” the investigation found that a significant number of these lengthy waits occurred during the warmer months, with over 12,000 patients waiting longer than 24 hours from May to August.
The implications for patient welfare are dire. Families have recounted experiences of loved ones suffering in discomfort due to a lack of assistance, with some even experiencing indignities like soiling themselves while waiting for care. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has described the situation as a “national shame,” calling for an urgent end to corridor care.
Strain on Healthcare Professionals
The pressure on healthcare professionals is equally profound. Simon Browes, the North West regional director of the Royal College of Nursing, has highlighted the emotional toll this environment has on staff. Many nurses report feelings of anxiety and distress, with some stating they feel compelled to cry in their cars before starting their shifts. “They can’t perform the job they were trained to do, and they are faced with this distressing, relentless situation,” Browes lamented.
In many hospitals, corridor care has become so ingrained that staff are now specifically assigned to manage it. While patients are monitored and treated, the lack of privacy and adequate facilities hampers recovery and contributes to a distressing experience for both patients and staff.
The Underlying Causes of the Crisis
The complexities of the current healthcare crisis are multifaceted, with many factors lying beyond the control of individual hospitals. A significant contributor is the ongoing crisis in social care, which often leaves older, frail patients stranded in hospitals for extended periods due to the unavailability of suitable care packages.
Despite various government initiatives aimed at shifting healthcare away from hospital settings, the demand for inpatient care continues to rise sharply, with the number of available beds markedly reduced compared to two decades ago. This mismatch between demand and capacity has engendered a situation where emergency departments are overwhelmed, leaving many apprehensive about seeking treatment.
In January, Health Secretary Wes Streeting pledged to eliminate corridor care by the end of the current parliamentary term in 2029. However, Browes has urged for immediate action, pointing to a significant decline in applications for nursing degree programmes—over a 30% reduction compared to five years ago—and unprecedented attrition rates among nursing students. “These are not future concerns; they are immediate realities,” he asserted.
Dr Michael Gregory reiterated the challenges faced by NHS facilities, stating, “Accident and Emergency departments in the North West, and nationally, have been experiencing rising demand for a number of years.” He noted that an ageing population with complex health needs is driving up hospital admissions, exacerbating the crisis.
Why it Matters
The revelation of prolonged waits in A&E and the normalisation of corridor care raises critical concerns about the quality of patient care and the wellbeing of healthcare professionals. The impact of these systemic failures extends beyond immediate health outcomes; it threatens the very fabric of trust in the NHS. As patients face prolonged discomfort and a lack of dignity, and as healthcare staff grapple with emotional and operational strains, urgent reform is essential. The call for action is clear: without significant intervention, the NHS risks losing both patients and the dedicated professionals who serve them.
