Nearly 80% of Doctors Forced to Provide Corridor Care in Past Month

An overwhelming majority of NHS doctors, almost four in five, have had to deliver care in locations like corridors, chairs, and waiting rooms in the last month, as per a survey.

Those medics who spoke to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) highlighted how this situation is impacting patient safety, privacy, and dignity. One medic even referred to providing care in corridors as a “travesty.”

A survey of 961 medics from across the UK revealed that 78 percent had dealt with providing care in a temporary setting in the past month.

Out of the 889 doctors who provided more information on where care was given, 45 percent mentioned corridors, while 27 percent cited additional beds or chairs in patient bays.

Furthermore, 13 percent stated that they had delivered care in wards without specific bed spaces, and 9 percent mentioned caring for patients in waiting rooms.

Another 4.5 percent acknowledged using areas “not intended for patient care,” such as bathrooms.

Dr. John Dean, clinical vice president at the RCP, expressed his concerns: “These results validate what NHS doctors are already aware of—corridor care is increasingly common and simply not acceptable.

“Providing care in inappropriate spaces compromises patient dignity, safety, and care quality, while also putting significant pressure on staff.

“No doctor should have to resuscitate a patient in a crowded corridor or witness patients spending their final moments in undignified conditions.”

A staggering 90 percent of doctors stated that delivering care in such places compromised patient privacy and dignity, and 75 percent faced challenges in accessing necessary equipment or facilities.

Almost 58 percent emphasized that patient safety was directly at risk.

One medic shared: “I have witnessed multiple patients passing away directly due to not being in a suitable clinical area—on a trolley in the corridor instead of in the resuscitation room, as there was no space available for them.”

Another described corridor care as a “travesty.”

This survey came after a damning report by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in January, which highlighted patients dying in corridors and sometimes being left unnoticed for hours, while others were left in distressing situations.

The report gathered insights from over 5,000 nursing staff across the UK.

Last year, NHS England announced plans to start recording data on the use of temporary escalation spaces in all NHS trusts from January 2025.

Dean further stated: “NHS England’s decision to start collecting data on this critical issue is a positive step, but it needs to be made public and acted upon urgently.

“Comprehensive reforms are required to increase capacity, enhance patient flow, safeguard patient safety, and ensure that corridor care is eradicated—not normalized.

Patricia Marquis, executive director for England at the RCN, added: “This impactful survey further emphasizes the experiences of nursing staff on the front line.

“They are well aware of the grave consequences of treating patients in corridors—it is undignified, unsafe, and unacceptable.

“The sad reality is that this has become a year-round issue and is a reflection of an NHS in crisis. As the government drafts the 10-year plan for the NHS, it must commit to investing to show a path out of this crisis.”

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care commented: “The prevalence of corridor care in our NHS is distressing. Despite the best efforts of staff, patients are receiving substandard care.

“Over the last six months, this government has taken decisive steps to alleviate pressure on the NHS, including ending resident doctor strikes so staff are on the front line, not the picket line, for the first time in three years. We are also providing funding to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and delayed discharges.

“Through our plan for change, we will deliver reform and investment to ensure that the NHS is there to support us when needed, once again.”