Responding to the analysis of NHS figures by the Liberal Democrats, Executive Director for RCN England Patricia Marquis, said:
"An explosion in 12-hour waits is the clearest indicator that corridor care is now a year-round crisis. There has been no respite for understaffed nursing teams during a record summer and they will now be worried about what the coming winter has in store.
"Ministers need to act with urgency before the cold weather arrives and stop patients being placed in corridors, cupboards, waiting rooms and any space hospitals can spare. It is utterly undignified and will never be a safe standard of care.
“The government’s 10 Year Health Plan rightly committed to eradicating corridor care, but now patients and nursing staff need to see the detail. Long-promised mandatory reporting of corridor care is the crucial first step to addressing this crisis, alongside new investment to unlock additional capacity in primary care, community services and social care.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Earlier this week, the RCN responded to the HSSIB announcing an official investigation into corridor care in acute hospitals in England.
