Almost 20% of patients in A&E departments in England during the summer were receiving care while waiting on trolleys or chairs, according to a new survey released today. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine conducted the study, highlighting corridor care as a “national shame” that poses risks to patients’ lives. The survey revealed that 19% of patients were being treated on trolleys or chairs in corridors, while 34% had patients waiting in ambulances outside A&E departments.
Furthermore, 78% of respondents expressed concerns about patient safety within their departments due to the limited quality of care that could be provided under such circumstances. One patient shared their experience, expressing how corridor care affected their confidence in seeking future A&E assistance.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine conducted the research for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Emergency Care. A separate public poll by Ispsos for the APPG indicated that 58% of individuals lacked confidence in receiving timely services at A&E facilities.
Recent findings from Age UK also highlighted the plight of elderly patients waiting in hospital corridors, emphasizing the urgent need for improved healthcare conditions. Dr. Ian Higginson, President of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, condemned the situation as a “national shame,” stressing the adverse impact on both staff and patients.
Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan, who chairs the APPG and works as an emergency doctor, criticized the current state of A&E services, describing it as unsafe and undignified. She called for increased support and resources for frontline healthcare workers to address the escalating demands on the NHS.
In response to the report, Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, expressed deep concern over the prolonged suffering endured by patients in emergency departments. She highlighted the challenges faced by nursing staff and doctors due to insufficient resources and escalating demand for care.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the unacceptable nature of patients receiving care in corridors and pledged to address the issue by investing in urgent care centers, ambulances, mental health crisis facilities, and local healthcare solutions. The department emphasized the importance of vaccination programs in protecting the public from illnesses during the upcoming winter season.