Overcrowded hospitals are putting patients at risk by using corridors as makeshift care areas. The NHS's safety watchdog, HSSIB, has revealed that some patients have collapsed while being cared for out of sight on these corridors, with serious consequences including falls, infections, and a lack of oxygen.
The use of corridors, storerooms, gyms, and even offices as temporary care areas is posing significant risks to patients. Investigators found that some patients who end up on trolleys or beds in overflow areas have not been assessed or started treatment, leaving them vulnerable to deterioration. The report highlighted the dangers of a delayed response to medical emergencies when patients are located at the end of corridors, making it difficult for staff to call for help.
The Royal College of Nursing has described the situation as "a damning indictment" of the increasingly routine use of corridor care. To mitigate this risk, some hospitals have installed emergency call bells and mini nursing stations in overflow areas, making them more manageable for patients and staff.
However, others are hesitant to make these changes due to concerns about normalizing temporary care areas. The lack of beds is also contributing to extended stays in these areas, with some patients spending several days there. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine estimates that over 16,600 people died last year as a direct result of delays finding them a bed.
NHS England has pledged to end the practice of corridor care by 2029, but NHS staff groups are skeptical about this promise. The health secretary has vowed to put an end to the issue, with a Department of Health spokesperson stating that no one should receive care in a corridor and that efforts are underway to improve data collection, reduce discharge delays, and tackle inconsistencies.
Meanwhile, hospitals are under immense pressure, with staff working tirelessly to keep patients safe despite these challenges. The HSSIB report has shed light on the need for urgent action to address this critical issue and ensure that all patients receive proper care in a safe environment.
The use of corridors, storerooms, gyms, and even offices as temporary care areas is posing significant risks to patients. Investigators found that some patients who end up on trolleys or beds in overflow areas have not been assessed or started treatment, leaving them vulnerable to deterioration. The report highlighted the dangers of a delayed response to medical emergencies when patients are located at the end of corridors, making it difficult for staff to call for help.
The Royal College of Nursing has described the situation as "a damning indictment" of the increasingly routine use of corridor care. To mitigate this risk, some hospitals have installed emergency call bells and mini nursing stations in overflow areas, making them more manageable for patients and staff.
However, others are hesitant to make these changes due to concerns about normalizing temporary care areas. The lack of beds is also contributing to extended stays in these areas, with some patients spending several days there. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine estimates that over 16,600 people died last year as a direct result of delays finding them a bed.
NHS England has pledged to end the practice of corridor care by 2029, but NHS staff groups are skeptical about this promise. The health secretary has vowed to put an end to the issue, with a Department of Health spokesperson stating that no one should receive care in a corridor and that efforts are underway to improve data collection, reduce discharge delays, and tackle inconsistencies.
Meanwhile, hospitals are under immense pressure, with staff working tirelessly to keep patients safe despite these challenges. The HSSIB report has shed light on the need for urgent action to address this critical issue and ensure that all patients receive proper care in a safe environment.
they're literally using corridors as makeshift wards lol but seriously its super scary thinkin patients could collapse & not get help ASAP 
. I mean who's gonna be responsible when some poor soul dies coz staff didn't pick up the emergency signal in time? 
need to make these corridors safe 4 patients ASAP 
it's like, totally unacceptable. i mean, what if u have a heart attack or something? who's gonna help u? 
hospitals need to get their act together and find more ways to manage overflow patients without putting them at risk. installing emergency call bells and mini nursing stations sounds like a good start 
. that's not going to solve anything if we're still stuck on corridor care. nhs england needs to do more than just promise to end this practice by 2029 
. And what about the patients who end up in a bad way while they're waiting? Falls, infections... that's crazy 
. And yeah, I know NHS England says they're gonna put an end to this by 2029 
, but it's hard to trust promises when the reality is still pretty dire 
.
. Maybe if we all work together, we can find a solution that works for everyone 
. We need to make sure hospitals are designed with patients first in mind 
. We can find ways to make it work.
.
hospitals are literally using corridors as makeshift patient beds... like what even is that? 
We need to get rid of this ASAP! The fact that patients have collapsed, fallen, got infections, and even run out of oxygen because they're stuck in a corridor is just crazy talk 
I mean, can you imagine having a medical emergency and not being able to get help fast enough? 
They're basically turning a normal hospital corridor into a makeshift ICU! 
It's no wonder patients are getting hurt – falls, infections, lack of oxygen... it's a recipe for disaster! 
It's like they're being put on hold, literally! 
But we need more than just band-aids on this problem – we need systemic changes that prioritize patient safety above all else. 
. I mean, what's next? Using hospital hallways as dormitories for patients who are still waiting for their meds? It's no wonder the HSSIB report revealed some serious health risks, from falls to infections to just plain old-fashioned neglect 
. And don't even get me started on the delayed responses to medical emergencies – it's like playing a game of " Simon Says" with patient lives 
. NHS England needs to get its act together and stop using corridors as a temporary fix for a lack of beds. 16,600 people died last year because of this issue? That's not just unacceptable, that's infuriating 
.
. I've been following this issue for a while now, and it's clear that something needs to change ASAP 
, but what about the root cause of the problem? We need more beds and better staffing ratios to prevent these situations from happening in the first place 
.
It's like putting patients in a high-risk situation just because hospitals are short-staffed and overcrowded.
It's time for some serious action to ensure our NHS is providing the best possible care in safe environments.