Monday, 20 October 2025
In response to the findings of Royal College of Physicians’ corridor care survey, published today (20 October), Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said:
“These survey results, which cover hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, reinforce what RCEM has been saying. Sadly, they will be of no surprise to our members and patients in those countries.
“The data reflects what has been the daily reality for EM clinicians for years. It is not possible to deliver safe and dignified care in spaces such as corridors, storage cupboards and converted offices, as highlighted by this survey.
“Patients needing admission are increasingly being sent to escalation spaces within hospitals as part of efforts to reduce the risk associated with emergency department overcrowding. ED overcrowding is mainly caused by the lack of available in-patient beds. This isn’t something that can be fixed by fiddling around at the edges of the problem, which is what policy makers and leaders have been doing for years.
“I wonder how long governments, who are ultimately responsible, can continue to ignore the ongoing crisis in our Emergency Departments and wider hospitals, especially as we head into winter when so-called ‘corridor care’ will no doubt be exacerbated.
“Put simply, the situation is shameful. Patients are being failed. It’s time to act.”