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A recent investigation by the BBC has brought to light a concerning issue in hospitals across north-west England, where over 52,000 patients endured waits exceeding 24 hours in A&E corridors last year. This phenomenon, often referred to as “corridor care,” involves patients remaining on trolleys or chairs in emergency departments due to a shortage of ward beds. The situation has been described by the Royal College of Nursing as a “national emergency,” with calls directed at the government to put an end to this practice.
Hospitals have been under increasing pressure for several years, compounded by the NHS experiencing its busiest winter on record, according to NHS England. Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical director for NHS England in the North West, acknowledged the difficulties, stating, “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.” Despite these efforts, the frequency of long waits in emergency departments has surged dramatically over recent years.
Data highlights a worrying trend: eight years ago, waits exceeding 12 hours were rare and typically linked to specific issues in a trust. In December 2018, just 101 patients in the region experienced such delays, representing a mere 0.2% of admissions. However, by December 2025, this figure had skyrocketed to 10,658, accounting for nearly 18% of patients entering hospital from A&E. The problem is even graver when considering those waiting more than 24 hours; a Freedom of Information request revealed that 52,015 patients faced these extensive waits last year, with almost 7,000 enduring delays beyond 48 hours. Notably, a significant number of these prolonged waits occurred outside the typical “winter pressures,” spanning the warmer months from May to August.
The consequences of corridor care extend beyond patient discomfort, also taking a toll on healthcare professionals. Simon Browes, North West regional director for the Royal College of Nursing, shared insights into the emotional strain on staff: “We’re hearing from members who are going to work, feeling anxious and upset. We’ve had members saying they’re sitting in their car crying before they go into work.” The normalization of corridor care means it is treated as an additional ward, yet the lack of privacy, inadequate facilities, and relentless pressure negatively affect both patient outcomes and staff wellbeing. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has termed the issue “a national shame,” with the Royal College of Nursing calling it a crisis demanding urgent resolution.
Underlying factors contributing to this crisis include challenges beyond hospitals’ control, such as a social care system in turmoil. Older and frailer patients often remain in hospital beds for prolonged periods because appropriate care packages are unavailable. Additionally, despite ongoing government promises to shift healthcare away from hospital settings and reduce inpatient demands, the number of available beds has decreased compared to two decades ago. These systemic issues have culminated in a healthcare environment where many patients now dread attending A&E, and healthcare workers face unprecedented stress and burnout.
Looking ahead, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pledged to eliminate corridor care by the end of the current parliamentary term in 2029. However, nursing recruitment and retention rates are already declining sharply. Browes expressed concern over this trend, noting, “We’re already seeing a significant drop in applications for nursing degree programmes – over 30% reduction compared to five years ago. We’ve seen attrition rates from nursing programmes which we’ve never seen before. Those are not things that will happen. Those things are happening.” Meanwhile, Dr Gregory emphasized ongoing efforts to alleviate pressure on emergency departments by enhancing home care services aimed at preventing hospital admissions and expediting discharges to free up beds. Despite such initiatives, the path to resolving this deeply entrenched problem remains challenging
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