Responding to the letter from NHS England to hospitals, which includes a new definition of corridor care, and a duty on trusts in England to begin collecting data on incidences of corridor care, for it to be published from May, BMA consultants committee emergency medicine chair Dr Den Langhor said:
“Corridor care is the daily reality faced by doctors working in hospitals and patients being admitted via emergency departments across the country every single day.
“The largely symbolic move from NHS England to agree a definition of corridor care represents a minor step forward in recognising the issue.
“Forcing hospitals to collect and publish data on corridor care is welcome, and the direct result of joint work from the BMA and organisations representing healthcare workers and patients. This will enable us to get a more accurate picture of just how serious the problem has become nationwide.
“But as NHS England itself suggests – observing the problem is not enough – we need actions and accountability. This letter spells out steps that trusts should be taking, but they are largely mitigations. Without addressing understaffing, lack of physical beds and buildings, and addressing patient-flow throughout the entire hospital, including out of the back door into the community, this is merely tinkering around the edges.
“Ending corridor care, as the Health Secretary has pledged to do, will require much bolder actions.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.
- The letter states that a “patient has experienced corridor care if they have spent at least 45 minutes in a clinically inappropriate area of an emergency department or general and acute ward”.