Almost 20% of patients in hospital emergency departments in England during the summer were receiving care while 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 significant concern that endangers lives. The survey, which involved clinical leads overseeing A&E departments, revealed that 19% of patients were being treated in corridors, with an additional 34% receiving care in ambulances outside the facilities.
Furthermore, 78% of respondents expressed concerns about patient safety within their departments due to the limited capacity to provide adequate care under such conditions. A patient shared their distressing experience of feeling forgotten and vulnerable while receiving care in a corridor, leading to a loss of confidence in seeking future emergency care unless absolutely necessary.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine presented these findings to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Emergency Care. A separate public survey by Ispsos for the APPG indicated that 58% of individuals lack confidence in the timely service provision of their local A&E departments.
This report follows a recent study by Age UK, which highlighted the plight of elderly patients enduring long waits in hospital corridors. Dr. Ian Higginson, President of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, condemned the situation as a national disgrace, emphasizing the distress faced by both patients and healthcare workers striving to deliver quality care under challenging circumstances.
The Royal College of Nursing’s General Secretary, Professor Nicola Ranger, echoed concerns, emphasizing the distressing conditions faced by patients and the strain on healthcare professionals. The Department of Health and Social Care pledged to address the issue, announcing investments in urgent care centers, ambulances, mental health crisis facilities, and enhanced vaccination programs to improve service delivery and alleviate the strain on the healthcare system.